killv.

Brit.

/kɪl/, U.S.

/kɪl/

Forms: Past tense and participle killed /kɪld/. Forms: α. Middle English culle(n, kulle(n(ü). β. Middle English kille(n, Middle English kylle, 1500s kyll, 1500s–1600s kil, 1500s– kill. γ. Middle English–1500s kelle. δ. ScottishMiddle English–1500s kele, keill. past tense Middle English culde, Middle English–1500s kild(e, Middle English kyld(e, (Middle English–1500s kelit, etc.); Middle English– killed. past participle Middle English ( y-)culled, ( i-)kilde), y-keld, Middle English– killed (Middle English–1500s kyld, kelyt, keild, etc., 1500s kylt, 1500s– kilt).

Etymology: Of obscure origin; not found in the cognate languages. If in Old English, its type would be *cyllan , conjecturally referred to an Old Germanic *kuljan , ablaut-variant of *kwaljan , whence Old English cwellan to quell v.¹; but the original sense is against this. Known first in Layamon, and in southern texts, in form cüllen , küllen . In midland dialect normally kille(n , kill , the common form in Middle English; kelle is rare. The usual Scots form in 15–16th cent. was kele , keill , the vowel of which is difficult to account for. In Middle English the past tense and past participle varied between killed and kild ; exceptionally the participle appears as kilt (compare spilt ), now regarded as an Irishism, and sometimes used jocularly, especially in sense 6b.

†1.

a. transitive. To strike, hit; to beat, knock. Also with off, and absol. or intransitive. Also figurative. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)]

swingc725

slayc825

knockc1000

platOE

swengea1225

swipa1225

kill?c1225

girdc1275

hitc1275

befta1300

anhitc1300

frapa1330

lushc1330

reddec1330

takec1330

popc1390

swapa1400

jod?14..

quella1425

suffetc1440

smith1451

nolpc1540

bedunch1567

percuss1575

noba1586

affrap1590

cuff?1611

doda1661

buffa1796

pug1802

nob1811

scud1814

bunt1825

belt1838

duntle1850

punt1886

plunk1888

potch1892

to stick one on1910

clunk1943

zonk1950

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 102 Þach þenne aword culle þe [= thee] ful harde up onþe breoste.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10138 Ofte me hine smæt mid smærte ȝerden. ofte me hine culde swa me deð crosce.

c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 545 He starte vp and streiȝte to his hache, culles on mennes hedes þat þei doun lyen.

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 876 We kylle of þyn heued.

†b. To cast or throw out; to clear out.(For a similar connection between the notions of striking and throwing, cf. the senses of German schlagen (Danish slaa) slay v.¹, and schmeissen (Danish smide) smite v.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > clear out or away

kill?c1225

purge1340

void1390

roota1398

devoida1400

rida1450

betwechec1450

redd1479

to make (clean, quick, etc.) riddance1528

expurge1542

vacuate1572

free1599

cleanse1628

rede1638

to clear out1655

dress1701

to clear away1711

to clear off1766

dissaturate1866

cancel1990

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 255 Ach to hire achne schrift fader oðer to sum lif hali mon ȝef ha mei him habben culle as [read al] þe þot ut [a1250 Nero kulle al ut þet is iðe krocke].

a. To put to death; to deprive of life; to slay, slaughter. In early use implying personal agency and the use of a weapon; later, extended to any means or cause which puts an end to life, as an accident, over-work, grief, drink, a disease, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)]

swevec725

quelmeOE

slayc893

quelleOE

of-falleOE

ofslayeOE

aquellc950

ayeteeOE

spillc950

beliveOE

to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE

fordoa1000

forfarea1000

asweveOE

drepeOE

forleseOE

martyrOE

to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE

bringc1175

off-quellc1175

quenchc1175

forswelta1225

adeadc1225

to bring of daysc1225

to do to deathc1225

to draw (a person) to deathc1225

murder?c1225

aslayc1275

forferec1275

to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275

martyrc1300

strangle1303

destroya1325

misdoa1325

killc1330

tailc1330

to take the life of (also fro)c1330

enda1340

to kill to (into, unto) death1362

brittena1375

deadc1374

to ding to deathc1380

mortifya1382

perisha1387

to dight to death1393

colea1400

fella1400

kill out (away, down, up)a1400

to slay up or downa1400

swelta1400

voida1400

deliverc1400

starvec1425

jugylc1440

morta1450

to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480

to put offc1485

to-slaya1500

to make away with1502

to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503

rida1513

to put downa1525

to hang out of the way1528

dispatch?1529

strikea1535

occidea1538

to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540

to fling to deathc1540

extinct1548

to make out of the way1551

to fet offa1556

to cut offc1565

to make away?1566

occise1575

spoil1578

senda1586

to put away1588

exanimate1593

unmortalize1593

speed1594

unlive1594

execute1597

dislive1598

extinguish1598

to lay along1599

to make hence1605

conclude1606

kill off1607

disanimate1609

feeze1609

to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611

to kill dead1615

transporta1616

spatch1616

to take off1619

mactate1623

to make meat of1632

to turn up1642

inanimate1647

pop1649

enecate1657

cadaverate1658

expedite1678

to make dog's meat of1679

to make mincemeat of1709

sluice1749

finisha1753

royna1770

still1778

do1780

deaden1807

deathifyc1810

to lay out1829

cool1833

to use up1833

puckeroo1840

to rub out1840

cadaverize1841

to put under the sod1847

suicide1852

outkill1860

to fix1875

to put under1879

corpse1884

stiffen1888

tip1891

to do away with1899

to take out1900

stretch1902

red-light1906

huff1919

to knock rotten1919

skittle1919

liquidate1924

clip1927

to set over1931

creasea1935

ice1941

lose1942

to put to sleep1942

zap1942

to take down1967

wax1968

trash1973

ace1975

α.

c1330 King of Tars 179 The Sarazins withouten fayle The Cristene culde in that batayle.

13.. Song Yesterday 146 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 137 Ȝif þi neiȝebor þe manas, Oþur to culle, oþur to bete.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. Prol. 185 Thouȝ we culled [C-text 199 hadde ycullid] þe catte, ȝut sholde þer come another.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xvi. 137 Thei casten & contreueden To kulle hym whan þei miȝte.

β. c1374 G. Chaucer Anelida & Arcite 53 Yche other for to kylle With blody speris.c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xx. 15 This is the eyr, sle we him, that the eritage be maad oure. And thei killiden him.1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VIII. 5 At Wycombmalban þey were i-kilde [v.r. y-keld].a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 66 Commynly they be other kyld where they are brede or sold.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1343 Þaire kyng was kylt.1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. v. sig. E3 What art thou, that telst of Nephews kilt?1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 479 Men are rather killed with the impatience they have in adversity, then adversity it selfe.1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 145 Orpheus..Whom ev'n the salvage Beasts had spar'd, they kill'd, And strew'd his mangl'd Limbs about the Field. 1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. 358 This terrible blast..instantly kills all those that it involves in its passage.1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair xlv. 407 He was killing himself by late hours and intense application.1895 Law Times 100 133/2 A man who had been killed at a level crossing by a railway train.figurative.1614 A. Saul Famous Game Chesse-play To Rdr. sig. A4^v But as they [sc.pawns] march who so they finde doe in their colour stande, Such may they kill.γ. 1387 [see β. ]. a1400 Octouian 1063 Thy fader hath keld Well many a bole and doun yfeld.c1440 Partonope 1054 Kelle these peuple of fals lawe.15.. in Bann. MS. lf. 145 a Telyeouris ar tyrranis in kelling of lyiss.δ. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 651 His brothir Hew was kelyt thar full cald.1568 (a1508) W. Kennedy Flyting (Bannatyne) in Poems W. Dunbar (1998) I. 209 The feild, Quhair twelf thowsand trew Scottismen wer keild.1572 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxxiii. 46 Sair boistit thay my husband commoun-weill, And maid thair vowis and aithis him for to keill.a1600 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems lii. 29 Vncourtesly thus keill thay mo Than I.

b. With adverbial complements, as kill out (away, †down, †up), kill off, to cut off completely, to remove, extinguish, or get rid of (a number, a whole tribe, etc.) by killing.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)]

swevec725

quelmeOE

slayc893

quelleOE

of-falleOE

ofslayeOE

aquellc950

ayeteeOE

spillc950

beliveOE

to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE

fordoa1000

forfarea1000

asweveOE

drepeOE

forleseOE

martyrOE

to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE

bringc1175

off-quellc1175

quenchc1175

forswelta1225

adeadc1225

to bring of daysc1225

to do to deathc1225

to draw (a person) to deathc1225

murder?c1225

aslayc1275

forferec1275

to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275

martyrc1300

strangle1303

destroya1325

misdoa1325

killc1330

tailc1330

to take the life of (also fro)c1330

enda1340

to kill to (into, unto) death1362

brittena1375

deadc1374

to ding to deathc1380

mortifya1382

perisha1387

to dight to death1393

colea1400

fella1400

kill out (away, down, up)a1400

to slay up or downa1400

swelta1400

voida1400

deliverc1400

starvec1425

jugylc1440

morta1450

to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480

to put offc1485

to-slaya1500

to make away with1502

to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503

rida1513

to put downa1525

to hang out of the way1528

dispatch?1529

strikea1535

occidea1538

to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540

to fling to deathc1540

extinct1548

to make out of the way1551

to fet offa1556

to cut offc1565

to make away?1566

occise1575

spoil1578

senda1586

to put away1588

exanimate1593

unmortalize1593

speed1594

unlive1594

execute1597

dislive1598

extinguish1598

to lay along1599

to make hence1605

conclude1606

kill off1607

disanimate1609

feeze1609

to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611

to kill dead1615

transporta1616

spatch1616

to take off1619

mactate1623

to make meat of1632

to turn up1642

inanimate1647

pop1649

enecate1657

cadaverate1658

expedite1678

to make dog's meat of1679

to make mincemeat of1709

sluice1749

finisha1753

royna1770

still1778

do1780

deaden1807

deathifyc1810

to lay out1829

cool1833

to use up1833

puckeroo1840

to rub out1840

cadaverize1841

to put under the sod1847

suicide1852

outkill1860

to fix1875

to put under1879

corpse1884

stiffen1888

tip1891

to do away with1899

to take out1900

stretch1902

red-light1906

huff1919

to knock rotten1919

skittle1919

liquidate1924

clip1927

to set over1931

creasea1935

ice1941

lose1942

to put to sleep1942

zap1942

to take down1967

wax1968

trash1973

ace1975

a1400–50 Alexander 2377 Þe kyng of þaire kythe was killid doun & heded.

a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 566 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 112 He..Kelit dovne yar capitanis.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 598/2 I kyll up, as one that kylleth the resydewe where many have ben kylled afore.

1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 673 Although the fœcundity of Swine bee great, yet it is better to kil off two or three..then to permit them to sucke their dam.

a1629 W. Hinde Faithfull Remonstr. (1641) xiv. 47 Hee presently killed up the game, and disparked the Parke.

1849 Tait's Edinb. Mag. 16 90/1 The wars of the Roses killed them out.

1875 Ld. Tennyson Queen Mary iii. v. 164 Sometime I have wish'd That I were caught, and kill'd away at once Out of the flutter.

1894 H. Drummond Lowell Lect. Ascent of Man 264 [Nature] produces fitness by killing off the unfit.

1966 R. M. Lockley Grey Seal, Common Seal x. 147 In New Zealand I saw how the red deer are killing out the young native forest trees in the South Island Alps.

1970 New Scientist 31 Dec. 576/1 Broilers are ‘killed out’ at eight weeks.

1972 Country Life 30 Nov. 1504/2 These small birds [sc. turkeys]..are killed out at 10–12 weeks of age.

c. With complement expressing the result: to kill to (†into, unto) death, to kill dead. (Cf. German totschlagen, Dutch doodslaan.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)]

swevec725

quelmeOE

slayc893

quelleOE

of-falleOE

ofslayeOE

aquellc950

ayeteeOE

spillc950

beliveOE

to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE

fordoa1000

forfarea1000

asweveOE

drepeOE

forleseOE

martyrOE

to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE

bringc1175

off-quellc1175

quenchc1175

forswelta1225

adeadc1225

to bring of daysc1225

to do to deathc1225

to draw (a person) to deathc1225

murder?c1225

aslayc1275

forferec1275

to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275

martyrc1300

strangle1303

destroya1325

misdoa1325

killc1330

tailc1330

to take the life of (also fro)c1330

enda1340

to kill to (into, unto) death1362

brittena1375

deadc1374

to ding to deathc1380

mortifya1382

perisha1387

to dight to death1393

colea1400

fella1400

kill out (away, down, up)a1400

to slay up or downa1400

swelta1400

voida1400

deliverc1400

starvec1425

jugylc1440

morta1450

to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480

to put offc1485

to-slaya1500

to make away with1502

to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503

rida1513

to put downa1525

to hang out of the way1528

dispatch?1529

strikea1535

occidea1538

to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540

to fling to deathc1540

extinct1548

to make out of the way1551

to fet offa1556

to cut offc1565

to make away?1566

occise1575

spoil1578

senda1586

to put away1588

exanimate1593

unmortalize1593

speed1594

unlive1594

execute1597

dislive1598

extinguish1598

to lay along1599

to make hence1605

conclude1606

kill off1607

disanimate1609

feeze1609

to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611

to kill dead1615

transporta1616

spatch1616

to take off1619

mactate1623

to make meat of1632

to turn up1642

inanimate1647

pop1649

enecate1657

cadaverate1658

expedite1678

to make dog's meat of1679

to make mincemeat of1709

sluice1749

finisha1753

royna1770

still1778

do1780

deaden1807

deathifyc1810

to lay out1829

cool1833

to use up1833

puckeroo1840

to rub out1840

cadaverize1841

to put under the sod1847

suicide1852

outkill1860

to fix1875

to put under1879

corpse1884

stiffen1888

tip1891

to do away with1899

to take out1900

stretch1902

red-light1906

huff1919

to knock rotten1919

skittle1919

liquidate1924

clip1927

to set over1931

creasea1935

ice1941

lose1942

to put to sleep1942

zap1942

to take down1967

wax1968

trash1973

ace1975

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. xi. 282 Poule þe apostil þat no pite ne hadde, Cristene kynde to kille to deþe.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1734 The Grekes..kyld all our kynnesmen into colde dethe.

1615 Bp. J. Hall No Peace with Rome xxi, in Recoll. Treat. 883 In the Popish Churches... Their very wals kill vs dead.

1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon i. 1. 35 Some of the company..found the Horse..kill'd stone dead.

1700 G. Farquhar Constant Couple iv. i. 38 Are you sure you kill'd him dead.

1882 J. C. Morison Macaulay iii. 92 Bentley did kill his adversary dead.

d. absol. To perform the act of killing; to commit murder or slaughter.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (intransitive)]

to shed blood?a1100

to let blood?c1225

to be (a person's) priesta1450

shortena1535

kill1535

to throw (also turn, etc.) over the perch1568

to trip (also turn, tumble, kick, etc.) up a person's heels1587

to make dice of (a person's) bones1591

to put out (also quench) a person's light(s)1599

account1848

to fix1875

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. xx. 13 Thou shalt not kyll.

1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 iv. iii. 7 Thou shalt haue licence to kil [1623 kill] for foure score.

1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Persian Wars i. 2 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian Which gives such force to the Arrow, that where it lights it kils.

1810 Sporting Mag. 35 300 They killed in one of the new plantations near Blankney.

1883 W. Black in Harper's Mag. Dec. 64/2 They had not been ‘killing’ at any of the farms.

e. intransitive in passive sense: To be killed; to suffer killing. Of an animal: To yield (so much meat) when killed. Also, to kill out.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > killing > killing of animals > kill animal [verb (intransitive)]

kill1857

cull1979

1857 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 18 i. 162 On inquiry of butchers..I find that one characteristic of a beast which kills well, is to have a little stomach.

1888 Whitby Gaz. 25 Feb. 4/7 I saw the cow in the slaughter-house... She killed 34 stones.

1950 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. Apr. 364/1 The Southdown has the advantage over the Leicester in that its progeny are quicker maturing and kill out at prime weight and at an earlier age (3 to 4 months).

1971 Country Life 30 Dec. 1857/3 Limousin-sired fat cattle killed out at 68 per cent; far above our national average for our native breeds.

f. transitive. To procure (meat) by killing animals.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > killing > killing of animals > kill animal [verb (transitive)]

slayc1000

slaughter1535

kill1560

to bring down1768

bag1814

mop1859

murder1863

beef1869

cull1889

carcass1906

harvest1947

1560 Bible (Geneva) 1 Sam. xxv. 11 My bread, & my water, & my flesh that I haue killed for my sherers.

1689 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 511 The lords of the admiralty have sent orders..to kill beefe and pork for 65 men of war.

1838 G. P. R. James Robber I. vi. 121 The beef was not killed at the end of the table.

g. To represent as killed or as dead. to kill off: to remove the names of dead officers from the navy-list (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 1867).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > be the author of or write (a work) [verb (transitive)] > present by literary treatment > by specific kind of literary treatment

hitch1749

to do off1819

kill1867

tea-table1938

1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. iii. 199 (note) Richer seems to kill him [Rolf] at Eu in 925.

1901 N.E.D. at Kill Mod. A novelist who always kills the hero in the last chapter.

3. transferred.

a. To destroy the vitality of (any organism or organic substance), the activity of (a disease, etc.). Also, in later use, To destroy, break up, or ruin anything.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)]

to bring to noughteOE

forspillc893

fordilghec900

to bring to naughtOE

astryea1200

stroyc1200

forferec1275

misdoa1325

destroyc1330

naught1340

dingc1380

beshenda1400

devoida1400

unshapea1400

to wend downa1400

brittenc1400

unloukc1400

perishc1426

defeat1435

unmake1439

lithc1450

spend1481

kill1530

to shend ofc1540

quade1565

to make away1566

discreate1570

wrake1570

wracka1586

unwork1587

gaster1609

defease1621

unbe1624

uncreate1633

destructa1638

naufragate1648

stifle1725

stramash1788

disannul1794

destructify1841

locust1868

to knock out1944

dick1972

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 598/2 I kyll, as any freatynge medecyne kylleth deede flesshe.

1558 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli Secretes Alexis of Piemount (1568) 40 a An oyntment to kill the plague.

1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 186 With this they kill haire, for vpon the place where the haire was puld off, they poure this bloud, and then it neuer groweth more.

1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid ii. ix. 83 A Surgeon made experiment on him with the white of Eggs and Bole, whereby the Eye was killed.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 56 Tough Thistles choak'd the Fields, and kill'd the Corn.

1799 A. Young Gen. View Agric. County Lincoln 145 (E.D.D.) Potatoes have quite killed the land.

1872 T. H. Huxley Lessons Elem. Physiol. (ed. 6) i. 18 A burn may kill more or less of the skin.

1901 N.E.D. at Kill Mod. With us the fuchsia is killed down every winter, and so never grows to a shrub in the open air.

b. To destroy the active quality of (a substance); e.g. the fluidity of mercury, the ductility of wire.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > deprive of essential elements or qualities

unbowel1552

kill1613

unessence1644

pith1903

1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 724 (note) Some thinke that Quicke-silver cannot quite be killed.

1700 W. Salmon Pharmacopœia Bateana (ed. 2) ii. xiii. 661/1 The Quick-silver before it can be mixed with the other Ingredients, is to be killed with the Turpentine.

1865 Morning Star 1 June If the phosphorus had not been properly ‘killed’ by being mixed with gum, it would probably explode when chloride of potass was added.

1875 R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) III. 846 The lye will have lost its causticity, or, in technical language,..it is killed.

1876 W. H. Preece & J. Sivewright Telegraphy 177 The wire..to be then stretched (‘killed’) to the extent of two per cent. by passing round drums, either varying in diameter or differentially geared as to speed.

1881 F. Young Every Man his own Mechanic §1406 Dampness in the air technically speaking kills the size, that is to say deprives it of its binding power.

c. To neutralize the effect of.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)] > neutralize or counteract

fordoc1175

counterpoisec1374

correct1578

countercheck1590

countervail1590

cancel1633

counterbalance1636

counterswaya1640

countermand1645

counter-influence1667

counteract1694

destroy1726

neutralizea1797

counterweigh1825

antagonize1833

mitigate1857

kill1858

1858 O. W. Holmes Autocrat of Breakfast-table v. 138 Indefinite quantities of black tea to kill any extra glass of red claret he may have swallowed.

d. To consume; to eat or drink; spec. to empty (a bottle of liquor). colloquial (originally U.S.).

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > [verb (transitive)]

brookc950

abiteOE

haveOE

afangOE

takec1175

notea1200

usec1300

spendc1380

consumec1400

partake1602

pree1680

discuss1751

tuck1784

to put down1795

to be (also go) at the ——1796

go1830

kill1833

to put away1839

down1852

to put over1880

to wrap (oneself) (a)round1880

shift1896

the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (transitive)] > drink intoxicating liquor > drink up or drain

quax1509

toom?a1513

quaff1534

to play off1598

upsy-friese1617

bumbaste1640

dust1673

fuddlec1680

whemmel1721

toota1774

buzz1785

kill1833

floor1837

lower1920

slam1982

1833 Sketches & Eccentricities D. Crockett xi. 145 I can kill more lickur..and cool out more men than any man you can find in all Kentucky.

1887 Lantern (New Orleans) 20 Aug. 2/2 The lady had killed a dozen [oysters].

1934 J. T. Farrell Young Manhood Studs Lonigan xviii. 291 ‘We'll drink to that,’ said Fat. They killed the bottle.

1967 N. Fitzgerald Affairs of Death vii. 125 We drank with maudlin solemnity to Stella's memory, killing the bottle in the process.

e. In printing or journalism, to cancel or delete (matter) before publication; to discard (type); to suppress or deny (a story, etc.). colloquial (originally U.S.).

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > printing > correction > correct [verb (transitive)] > cancel matter

cancel1738

kill1865

society > communication > journalism > editing > edit [verb (transitive)] > reject a story

kill1865

spike1908

1865 Wilkes' Spirit of Times (N.Y.) 16 Dec. 256/1 Two galleys of equal length, one being marked ‘Must’, the other ‘Kill this’.

1887 Courier-Jrnl. (Louisville, Kentucky) 29 Jan. 5/4 Please kill the deer story sent by Associated Press this morning.

1903 E. L. Shuman Pract. Journalism 62 The editor can make room by killing the last paragraphs of the other stories.

1929 M. Lief Hangover 235 It got past the copy desk for the first edition and then some wise guy caught it and killed it in the others.

1938 E. Waugh Scoop ii. i. 133 We're killing this story... Go round to the Press Bureau and have Benito issue an official dementi.

1967 R. R. Karch & E. J. Buber Graphic Arts Procedures: Offset Processes ii. 40 ‘Dead’ ads are killed.

1972 Human World May 75 This is a dull and confused book. (We killed our review of it as not worth the space.)

f. To turn off or stop (an engine, esp. the motor of a car). colloquial (originally U.S.).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cause to cease or put a stop to > cause (a thing) to cease action > specific electricity or a motor

kill1886

to cut out1910

to turn off1921

cut1938

1886 Philadelphia Evening Tel. 20 Mar. The hose was cut..and engines killed so that it will take days to bring them to life again.

1907 E. S. Field Six-cylinder Courtship 9 I lost no time in starting. What a blessing that I hadn't killed my engine!

1935 M. M. Atwater Murder in Midsummer iv. 41 Jim killed the engine and switched off the lights.

1971 D. MacKenzie Sleep is for Rich vi. 196 I moved the hired car into the cobbled courtyard... I killed the motor.

g. Metallurgy. To treat (steel when molten) so as to prevent the evolution of oxygen on solidification (now done by adding a reducing agent: cf. killed adj. 2b); to remove (iron oxides) from the molten metal by this means.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > convert into steel > processes involved in

overblow1869

recarburize1870

bessemerize1888

nodulize1905

kill1906

pneumatize1949

1906 W. Macfarlane Princ. & Pract. Iron & Steel Manuf. iv. 46 Higher class steel requires ‘killing’—that is, it requires to be kept in the furnace for about half an hour..after it has become fluid and it must be poured at a proper temperature.

1918 A. W. Brearley & H. Brearley Ingots & Ingot Moulds x. 172 When cast steel was made by the crucible process..it was necessary to continue the heating, and..increase the temperature as far as possible, in order to ‘kill’ the steel.

1926 Jrnl. Iron & Steel Inst. 114 407 On account of the titanium alloy being of only 17 per cent. strength, it is not practicable to kill a heat of steel with titanium only.

1940 E. N. Simons & E. Gregory Steel Manuf. vi. 31 There are several ways of killing steel. One..is the addition in the ingot mould before teeming of about 0·02 per cent of metallic aluminium (Al) to the melt.

1969 R. Stephen Iron & Steel for Operatives xii. 56/1 All the iron oxide has been removed, or killed by de-oxidation, and has entered the slag in the ladle.

h. To extinguish or obscure (a light); also, to extinguish (a cigarette). colloquial.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > put out or extinguish fire, pain, etc.

aquenchc1000

adweschOE

quenchc1175

extinct?a1475

out1502

dead1611

stifle1629

kill1934

1934 Tit-bits 31 Mar. 12/1 ‘Niggers’ are not men of colour, but blackboards used to ‘kill’ unwanted reflections from the powerful lights.

1939 Evening News 7 Nov. 4/5 ‘Kill that baby and put a nigger in its place.’ (‘Put out that small spotlight and substitute a black screen’).

1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 476/2 Kill (Cinema), colloquialism for extinguish lights.

1942 R. Chandler High Window (1943) xix. 135 She killed her cigarette in Morny's copper goldfish bowl, speared the crushed stub absently with the letter opener and dropped it into the waste-basket.

1959 M. Pugh Chancer 153 Could you kill that cigarette..? It's smouldering somewhere.

1967 J. Wainwright Worms must Wait lxxvii. 200 The window shattered and the lights were killed almost simultaneously.

4. figurative.

a. To destroy, do away with, put an end to, suppress (a feeling, desire, project, or other non-material thing).

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > bring to ruin or put an end to

undoc950

shendOE

forfarea1000

endc1000

to do awayOE

aquenchc1175

slayc1175

stathea1200

tinea1300

to-spilla1300

batec1300

bleschea1325

honisha1325

leesea1325

wastec1325

stanch1338

corrumpa1340

destroy1340

to put awayc1350

dissolvec1374

supplanta1382

to-shend1382

aneantizec1384

avoidc1384

to put outa1398

beshenda1400

swelta1400

amortizec1405

distract1413

consumec1425

shelfc1425

abroge1427

downthringc1430

kill1435

poisonc1450

defeat1474

perish1509

to blow away1523

abrogatea1529

to prick (also turn, pitch) over the perka1529

dash?1529

to bring (also send) to (the) pot1531

put in the pot1531

wipea1538

extermine1539

fatec1540

peppera1550

disappoint1563

to put (also set) beside the saddle1563

to cut the throat of1565

to throw (also turn, etc.) over the perch1568

to make a hand of (also on, with)1569

demolish1570

to break the neck of1576

to make shipwreck of1577

spoil1578

to knock on (in) the head (also rarely at head)1579

cipher1589

ruinate1590

to cut off by the shins1592

shipwreck1599

exterminate1605

finish1611

damnify1612

ravel1614

braina1616

stagger1629

unrivet1630

consummate1634

pulverizea1640

baffle1649

devil1652

to blow up1660

feague1668

shatter1683

cook1708

to die away1748

to prove fatal (to)1759

to knock up1764

to knock (or kick) the hindsight out or off1834

to put the kibosh on1834

to cook (rarely do) one's goose1835

kibosh1841

to chaw up1843

cooper1851

to jack up1870

scuttle1888

to bugger up1891

jigger1895

torpedo1895

on the fritz1900

to put paid to1901

rot1908

down and out1916

scuppera1918

to put the skids under1918

stonker1919

liquidate1924

to screw up1933

cruel1934

to dig the grave of1934

pox1935

blow1936

to hit for six1937

to piss up1937

to dust off1938

zap1976

R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Fire of Love 81 Well vsyd in prayinge,..all wykkydnes kylland & vnclennes.

1573 T. Cartwright Replye to Answere Whitgifte 26 Sufficient to quench her thirst and kill her hunger.

1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 238 (margin) To soden honor in youth killeth further desier of fame.

1617 R. Wilkinson Barwick Bridge 22 Yea, warre and contention kill up even conscience it selfe.

1710 Tatler No. 191. ⁋1 The monstrous Affectation of being thought artful, immediately kills all Thoughts of Humanity and Goodness.

1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James (new ed.) iv, in Writings I. 31 [He] detected his wife painfully endeavouring to kill a laugh.

1872 H. P. Liddon Some Elements Relig. vi. 214 In the Jew of the age of Tiberius, the national feeling..had almost killed out the human.

1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xix. 319 You have killed her faith as well as ruined her life.

b. To neutralize, destroy, or spoil (an appearance or quality) by contrast or incongruity.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > disfigurement > disfigure [verb (transitive)] > by contrast

kill1859

1859 T. J. Gullick & J. Timbs Painting 117 The necessity of using body-colour, in order, by its opacity, to ‘kill’—using the painter's phrase—..the unpleasant hue of the photograph.

1877 J. C. Cox Notes on Churches of Derbyshire II. 378 The high blank walls..kill the grace of the lancet windows on the..sides of the chancel.

c. Theatrical colloquial. (See quot. 1952.)

ΚΠ

1933 P. Godfrey Back-stage iii. 37 When an actor complains that his ‘laughs’ have been ‘killed’ he means that the audience have been prevented from laughing at his comedy.

1952 W. Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms 106 Kill a laugh, to start a fresh line before the laugh evoked by the preceding one has died down.

d. Athletics. To put (a rival runner) out of contention in a race by setting a fast pace, or suddenly accelerating. Also with off.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > racing on foot > race [verb (transitive)] > put out of contention

kill1962

1962 B. Hewson Flying Feet xi. 132 Derek..slowed the pace to a crawl, obviously hoping to use his finishing kick to kill off Mike and myself.

1968 G. Gretton Out in Front v. 74 He set a fast pace which ‘killed’ Heino, who collapsed and retired.

5. To consume or spend (time, or any portion of time), so as to bring it to an end. Said of a person, or an occupation or amusement.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)]

overdoOE

adreeOE

wreaka1300

to draw forthc1300

dispend1340

pass1340

drivea1375

wastec1381

occupyc1384

overpassa1387

to pass over ——a1393

usec1400

spend1423

contrive?a1475

overdrive1487

consumea1500

to pass forth1509

to drive off1517

lead1523

to ride out1529

to wear out, forth1530

to pass away?1550

to put offc1550

shiftc1562

to tire out1563

wear1567

to drive out1570

entertainc1570

expire1589

tire1589

outwear1590

to see out1590

outrun1592

outgo1595

overshoot1597

to pass out1603

fleeta1616

elapse1654

term1654

trickle1657

to put over1679

absorb1686

spin1696

exercise1711

kill1728

to get through ——1748

to get over ——1751

tickc1870

fill1875

the world > action or operation > inaction > idleness, lack of occupation or activity > cause to be idle or inactive [verb (transitive)] > occupy oneself triflingly with > kill (time or a period)

to blow (on) one's nails1566

to spin out1608

murder1700

kill1728

to bite one's nails1883

1728 C. Cibber Vanbrugh's Provok'd Husband i. i. 18 What think you, if we three sat soberly down, to kill an Hour at Ombre?

a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 208 It is ridiculous to see how many shifts are made to kill time, as it is called.

1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey I. i. v. 34 A sawney who was killing the half-holiday by looking out of the window.

1874 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 1st Ser. 74 Tapestry in which ladies employed their needles by way of killing time.

6. In hyperbolic use: To come near to killing.

a. To overwhelm (a person) by a strong impression on the mind, as of admiration, astonishment, alarm, grief, etc.: to impress with irresistible force. Also, to convulse (someone) with laughter; to excite, thrill, delight.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > effect produced on emotions > have an effect on [verb (transitive)] > with irresistible force

kill1634

to knock sideways1890

to blow (a person's) mind1967

the mind > emotion > excitement > pleasurable excitement > affect with pleasurable excitement [verb (transitive)] > give thrill of pleasurable excitement to

dirl1513

slay1863

razzle-dazzle1886

to turn on1903

panic1920

wow1924

kill1938

to knock out1942

fracture1946

gas1947

stoke1963

the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > please or give pleasure to [verb (transitive)] > overcome with pleasure

to tickle to death1834

to tickle pink1922

kill1938

the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > cause laughter [verb (transitive)] > convulse with laughter

shake?1606

convulse1751

to break up1895

slay1927

kill1938

fracture1946

1634 [implied in: T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile To Earle of Pembroke sig. A2^v Those who are suddenly taken with a killing beautie. (at killing adj. 2c)].

1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 144. ⁋1 If they [Handsom People] do not kill at first Sight, as the Phrase is, a second Interview disarms them of all their Power.

1712 A. Pope Rape of Locke ii, in Misc. Poems 371 Chloë stept in, and kill'd him with a Frown.

1783 F. Burney Diary Jan. He behaves to me with a kind of deference that kills me.

1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain ii. viii. 414 Ethel saw Meta in fits of laughing... ‘Ethel! you will kill me!’ said Meta, sinking back on the sofa.]

1938 C. Calloway Hi De Ho 16 Kill me, show me a good time, send me.

1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §591/5 Delight the audience,..kill 'em.

1951 J. D. Salinger Catcher in Rye x. 82 I took her to see this French movie... It killed her.

1951 J. D. Salinger Catcher in Rye x. 83 She killed Allie, too. I mean he liked her, too.

1960 C. Dale Spring of Love ix. 176 He kills me sometimes, the things he says.

1971 Melody Maker 13 Nov. 31/6 During the Elton John tour in the States, which was a gas, man, we killed them night after night.

b. To injure seriously; to affect with severe pain or suffering.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > cause of mental anguish or torment > cause anguish to or torment [verb (transitive)]

quelmeOE

eatc1000

martyrOE

fretc1175

woundc1175

to-fret?c1225

gnawc1230

to-traya1250

torment1297

renda1333

anguish1340

grindc1350

wringc1374

debreakc1384

ofpinec1390

rivea1400

urn1488

reboil1528

whip1530

cruciate1532

pinch1548

spur-galla1555

agonize1570

rack1576

cut1582

excruciate1590

scorchc1595

discruciate1596

butcher1597

split1597

torture1598

lacerate1600

harrow1603

hell1614

to eat upa1616

arrow1628

martyrize1652

percruciate1656

tear1666

crucify1702

flay1782

wrench1798

kill1800

to cut up1843

1800 M. Edgeworth Castle Rackrent 158 My lady Rackrent was all kilt and smashed, and they lifted her into a cabin hard by..and they say my lady can't live any way.

1816 J. Austen Emma III. vi. 106 Nothing killed him like heat—he could bear any degree of cold.

1824 C. K. Sharpe Corr. (1888) II. 303 I am so kilt all over with rheumatism, as Irishmen speak, that I can scarcely hold a pen.

1899 G. W. Peck Peck's Uncle Ike (1903) xix. 172 ‘Now wouldn't that kill you,’ said the boy... ‘That breaks up my scheme to fight the French.’

a1953 E. O'Neill Long Day's Journey (1956) ii. i. 53 No wonder my feet kill me each night.

a1961 J. Cannan All is Discovered (1962) i. 19 My feet are killing me anyway and this dam' strapless bra is rubbing me raw.

a1961 J. Cannan All is Discovered (1962) vi. 140 The ‘middy’-heeled shoes which after the long walk along the hot roads had been ‘killing’ her.

1965 J. Porter Dover Two v. 61 The long cold walk..did nothing to lighten Dover's mood. His feet were killing him.

c. Used in the infinitive form after another verb with adverbial force = ‘to a great or impressive degree’; esp. in dressed (got up, etc.) to kill, dressed showily or impressively. colloquial.

ΚΠ

1818 J. Keats Let. 23 Jan. (1958) I. 216 One chap was dressed to kill for the King in Bombastes.

1845 N.Y. Evening Express 5 Mar. 2/4 Mrs. Polk..dresses ‘to kill’.

1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (at cited word) To do anything to kill, is a common vulgarism, and means to do it to the uttermost; to carry it to the fullest extent; as, ‘He drives to kill’; ‘she dances to kill’.

1862 J. R. Lowell Biglow Papers 2nd Ser. i. ii. 36 'T was Concord Bridge a-talkin' off to kill With the Stone Spike thet's druv thru Bunker Hill.

a1871 Country Merchant When he came down after breakfast, to go over to the Judge's and to press his suit, he was dressed to kill.

1877 My Mother-in-Law vii His wife was there, dressed ‘to kill’, as he himself said.

1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xi. [Sirens] 273 Got up to kill: on eighteen bob a week.

1957 N. Mitford Voltaire in Love xviii. 218 Mme du Châtelet..always took the part of the leading lady, dressed up to kill and covered with diamonds.

1970 G. W. Barrax in S. Henderson Understanding New Black Poetry (1973) iii. 358 Dress to kill Shoot to kill Love to kill If you will But write to bring back the dead.

7. In various phrases.

a. to kill a ball: (a) in tennis, to strike a ball so as to prevent it from being returned (see quot. 1883); (b) in football, to stop a ball dead.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > play football [verb (intransitive)] > actions

to kill a ball1883

chip1889

miskick1901

to go in1914

to give (a ball) air1920

punt-kick1960

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > lawn tennis > play tennis [verb (intransitive)] > types of stroke

volley1819

cut1875

to kill a ball1883

press1897

undercut1926

dink1939

moonball1982

softball1982

1883 Daily News 26 June 6/6 Posting themselves close to the net, to intercept the ball as it came over, and by a severe downward stroke to hit it in such a manner that it could not possibly be returned—or, in other words, to ‘kill’ it.

1900 Daily News 23 Apr. 8/1 The ball had come in from the right, and McLuckie killed it, and shot a goal.

b. to kill a bill (in parliament): to defeat it totally; to prevent it from passing; to veto it.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legislation > make (laws) or establish as law [verb (transitive)] > defeat or veto a bill

to throw out1604

lose1663

to kill a bill1832

1832 J. W. Croker in Croker Papers 14 Apr. (1884) II I have just had Haddington with me. He is confident of killing the bill.

1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. I. vi. 75 By ‘killing’ more bills than all his predecessors put together had done, Mr. Cleveland raised himself in public opinion.

†c. to kill one's heart: to depress or discourage one completely. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > dejection > make dejected [verb (transitive)] > severely

to kill one's heart1470

strike1598

accable1602

shatter1785

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur x. lviii Fy vpon treason said sir Trystram, for hit kylleth my herte to here this tale.

1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 443 For their hartes were killed, bicause..they were euer ouerthrowen.

1654 E. Nicholas Papers (1892) II. 124 To see us totally ruined rather then deale with people according to their deserts, it kills our harts.

d. to kill with kindness: to destroy or fatally harm by mistaken and excessive kindness.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > do harm or injury to > with excessive or mistaken kindness

to kill with kindnessc1558

c1558 Enterlude of Welth, & Helth sig. D1^v With kindnes my her ye do kyll.

1582 G. Whetstone Heptameron Ciuill Disc. sig. Tiv^v You will kill her with kindnesse.

1607 T. Heywood (title) A woman kilde with kindnesse.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. i. 194 This is a way to kil a Wife with kindnesse.

1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 100 Tom Coriat..was killed with Kindness by the English Merchants.

1699 G. Farquhar Love & Bottle iii. i. 25 I bear her an amorous grudge still..I cou'd kill her with kindness.

1761 G. Colman Jealous Wife iv. i. 67 You absolutely kill Him with Kindness.

1842 F. A. Kemble Let. 31 Mar. in Rec. Later Life (1882) II. 189 Lord Morpeth..has a..mother and sisters, and really should not, on their account, be killed with kindness.

1898 F. P. Dunne Mr. Dooley in Peace & War 38 ‘They'll kill him with kindness if he don't look out,’ said Mr. Hennessy.

1925 A. Huxley Along the Road 61 The country..has not been killed by the deadly kindness of those who, like myself, are nature's townsmen.

1935 I. J. C. Brown Heart of Eng. viii. 84 Now we purge by persuasion that new Beelzebub, the complex, or kill it by kindness.

e. kill or cure, with reference to medical treatment or remedies, which either cure or prove fatal; also attributive, and absol. as n.

ΚΠ

1764 S. Foote Mayor of Garret i. 3 Your worship knows, that kill or cure, I have contracted to physic the parish-poor by the great.

1778 R. James Diss. Fevers (ed. 8) 114 Dr. James's Powder, which I was determined to take, kill or cure.

1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues II. 33 Asclepius..adopted the rough ‘kill or cure’ method.

1898 Folk-lore IX. 14 The Lebanon mother knows no other remedy than the kill-or-cure of a dip in the sea for her babe.

f. to kill two birds with one stone: see stone n. 16b.

g. Ironical phr. it won't (etc.) kill you (or him, us, etc.): that would not be too much to endure.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > calmness > patience > be patient [phrase] > that which is endurable

it won't (etc.) kill you (or him, us, etc.)1858

1858 A. Trollope Three Clerks I. vii. 130 ‘We are both used to that, I fancy,’ said Tudor, ‘so it won't kill us.’

1913 J. Vaizey College Girl vi. 83 Suppose I ask them? Twopence three farthings each would not kill them!

1945 A. Kober Parm Me 123 Even if your father's gonna lay out a few dollars, O.K., so it's not gonna kill him!

1967 ‘G. North’ Sgt. Cluff & Day of Reckoning ii. 16 ‘You could have stopped in bed...’ ‘Lie there awake?’ ‘It wouldn't have killed you.’ ‘Getting my own breakfast didn't either.’

h. to kill the goods: in soap-making, to emulsify the melted fat by a partial saponification.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > soap-making > make soap [verb (intransitive)] > specific processes

to kill the goods1885

1885 W. L. Carpenter Treat. Manuf. Soap 167 The boiling, and the addition of fat and lye, must be continued until a small sample..has a tolerably firm consistence... Practice alone will enable the operator to judge of the completion of this first operation, called ‘pasting’. In English phraseology, it is called ‘killing the goods’ or raw material.

1888 J. Cameron Soaps & Candles 82 Saponification, pasting, or killing the goods.

1894 C. R. A. Wright Animal & Veg. Fixed Oils 468 The effect of the action of the hot ley on the melted fatty matter is to ‘kill the goods’—i.e., to emulsify the whole, so that no distinct layer of melted fat swims up on taking a sample.

i. ‘ To kill the sea (Naut.), to cause the sea to grow calmer, as by the action of a heavy rainfall upon turbulent waves. To kill the wind (Naut.), to reduce wind-velocity, as does a rain-storm on a high wind’. (Funk's Standard Dict. 1928.)

a. Leather Manufacturing. To remove the natural grease from (a hair skin).

ΚΠ

1897 C. T. Davis Manuf. Leather 496 Before a skin can be colored it must first be tanned and prepared, and all grease removed from the hair so as to make it susceptible to the dye. The latter process is technically designated as ‘killing the skin’.

b. Bridge. (See quot.)

ΚΠ

1929 M. C. Work Compl. Contract Bridge Gloss. 240 High cards in a suit are ‘killed’ when they are led through and captured.

Draft additions June 2015

transitive. colloquial (originally U.S.). To do or perform (something) impressively or conclusively. Also: spec. to do extremely well at (an examination subject). Frequently in to kill it. Cf. nail v. 6d.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > make a success of [verb (transitive)] > succeed in or achieve a purpose

reacheOE

awinc1000

attain1393

speedc1400

comprehenda1450

escheve1489

to make out1535

consecute1536

compass1549

achievea1569

aspire1581

obtain1589

subdue1590

to go a long (also great, short, etc.) way1624

arrivea1657

kill1899

nail1981

1899 Werner's Mag. Jan. 376/2 Kill, to do easily.

1906 Dial. Notes 3 ii. 143 Kill, to pass an examination perfectly. ‘I killed math.’

1968 C. F. Baker et al. College Undergraduate Slang Study (typescript, Brown Univ.) 147 Kill it, do well on an exam.

1982 Campus Slang (Univ. N. Carolina, Chapel Hill) Spring 5 Kill, to do something extremely well: She killed that song.

2001 Snowboard U.K. Sept. 43 Hamish McKnight was killing it on a Burton Junkyard snowskate, pulling off big indys and even getting close to 360 flips over the first box in the boardercross.

2011 T. Rayburn Pulse (2012) xiv. Matt said you totally killed the interview.

2012 P. Coughter Art of Pitch ii. 48 You have to go out there and kill it, make them love us right now, and inspire the team.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	kill
释义	killn.¹ Brit. /kɪl/, U.S. /kɪl/ Forms: Also Middle English cul (ü). Etymology: < kill v. †1. A stroke, blow. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > [noun] > a stroke or blow dintc897 swengOE shutec1000 kill?c1225 swipc1275 stroke1297 dentc1325 touchc1325 knock1377 knalc1380 swapc1384 woundc1384 smitinga1398 lush?a1400 sowa1400 swaipa1400 wapc1400 smita1425 popc1425 rumbelowc1425 hitc1450 clope1481 rimmel1487 blow1488 dinga1500 quartera1500 ruska1500 tucka1500 recounterc1515 palta1522 nolpc1540 swoop1544 push1561 smot1566 veny1578 remnant1580 venue1591 cuff1610 poltc1610 dust1611 tank1686 devel1787 dunching1789 flack1823 swinge1823 looder1825 thrash1840 dolk1861 thresh1863 mace-blow1879 pulsation1891 nosebleeder1921 slosh1936 smackeroo1942 dab- ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 103 Ase swin ipunt isti. forto uattin & to greatin aȝeinþe cul of þe axe. 2. a. The act of killing an animal hunted as game. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > [noun] > killing hunted animal kill1850 the world > life > death > killing > killing of animals > [noun] slaughtera1300 to make larder ofa1330 murdering?a1475 fall1575 butchering1609 ovicide1828 felicide1832 poultrycide1841 piscicide1847 vealing1847 kill1850 slaughterage1854 birdicide1862 apricide1864 insecticide1865 vulpicidism1865 vulpicide1873 serpenticide1882 tauricide1882 vaccicide1887 leporicide1914 culling1938 cull1958 1850 R. S. Surtees Soapey Sponge's Sporting Tour xlii, in New Monthly Mag. May 110 A run with a kill. 1883 E. Pennell-Elmhirst Cream Leics. 404 The second run..led to a charming scamper, with a clean kill at the end. 1890 R. Payne-Gallwey Lett. to Young Shooters 145 (note) In all-round shooting, fifteen kills to twenty shots is rarely done. b. in at the kill: present at the killing of an animal; also transferred and figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > killing > killing of animals > [adjective] slaughtered1594 sphagian1607 in at the kill1814 serpenticidal1823 vulpicidal1826 ovicidal1847 insecticidal1857 ursicidal1857 passericidala1876 1814 Prince William Let. 18 Feb. in P. Ziegler King William IV (1971) ix. 115 The game is up with Bonaparte and I shall be in at the kill. 1969 Amer. Heritage Dict. (at cited word) In at the kill, present at the moment of triumph. c. Tennis and Rackets. The striking of a ball in such a way that it cannot be returned. Cf. kill v. 7a. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > [noun] > types of play or stroke fault1599 back-hand1657 serving1688 let1819 return1832 ace1840 error1877 rally1879 knock-up1884 drop1900 kill1903 soft kill1910 angle shot1911 retrieve1913 length1924 put-away1932 1903 Westm. Gaz. 31 Aug. 8/1 Grant put in some mighty ‘kills’ from the service line. 1908 Baily's Mag. June 483/1 They both of them fairly bombarded the wall, often..bringing off beautifully low ‘kills’. 1920 W. T. Tilden Art of Lawn Tennis 87 The server covers and strives for a kill at once. 1969 New Yorker 14 June 68/2 Graebner delivers a Wagnerian kill. The ball digs a hole in the turf near Ashe's left foot. d. The destruction or putting out of action of an enemy aircraft, submarine, etc.; the aircraft, etc., so destroyed. colloquial. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > putting weapons or equipment out of action > [noun] kill1944 1944 Times 7 Mar. 2/3 The men of this station..can show plenty of evidence of ‘kills’. 1951 N. Monsarrat Cruel Sea v. vi. 360 But this was to be no swift kill: perhaps, indeed, it was to be no kill at all. 1962 Daily Tel. 20 July 1 (headline) Atlas rocket ‘kill’ by anti-missile. 1969 G. MacBeth War Quartet 60 We had sailed five weeks Without a kill. 1971 Daily Tel. 22 Nov. 7 (caption) Mr H. M. Stephen..examining..parts of a Messerschmitt 109 fighter which, as a pilot officer, he shot down on Nov. 30, 1940, while operating from Biggin Hill. It was the wartime base's 600th ‘kill’. e. Boxing. (See quots.) colloquial. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > [noun] > knock-out or technical knockout technical knockout1909 TKO1942 kill1950 1950 J. Dempsey Championship Fighting xxv. 200 His opponent will be after him quickly for ‘the kill’—for the knockout. 1954 F. C. Avis Boxing Ref. Dict. 61 Kill, a knock out. 3. A killed animal, esp. one killed by sportsmen or by beasts of prey. Also, an animal used as a bait in hunting beasts of prey. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > thing hunted or game > [noun] > killed game mort1827 kill1878 1878 J. Inglis Sport & Work xxi. 287 In beating for tiger,..the appearance of the kill..often affords valuable indications to the sportsman. 1893 F. C. Selous Trav. S.-E. Afr. 424 I cherished a hope that the lions..would return and drive the hyænas off their kill. 1906 G. F. Abbott Through India in Daily Chron. 24 Apr. 3/4 The kill was tied in the immediate neighbourhood of these towers. 4. Tennis and Rackets. The striking of a ball in such a way that it cannot be returned. ΚΠ 1906 Field 13 Oct. 623/3 Mr. R. F. Doherty was sending down some punishing kills across to Mr. Hough's forehand, which very often scored outright. Compounds kill ratio n. U.S. the proportion of casualties on each side in a military action. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military operations > [noun] > proportion of casualties kill ratio1968 1968 N.Y. Times 11 Aug. i. 3 Those Nigerians who had escaped the cross-fire had fled northward into the forest, leaving behind 41 dead, the Biafrans said. They put their own losses at three killed and a dozen wounded. The lieutenant was pleased with the kill ratio. 1973 New Yorker 17 Feb. 89/1 Our military..can produce sickeningly effective ‘kill ratios’. Draft additions 1997 kill zone n. = killing zone n. at killing n. Additions. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > part of body > [noun] > area where entry of projectile would be fatal killing zone1970 kill zone1981 society > armed hostility > armed encounter > battlefield > [noun] > front or front line > area with high concentration of fatalities killing zone1970 killing field1980 kill zone1981 1981 Defense & Foreign Affairs Dec. 29/3 Producers are looking for higher speeds which mean getting the vehicle away from the kill-zone more quickly. 1983 Washington Post 4 Oct. b4/4 Repeatedly, the agents practice trying to hit the ‘kill zone’—the torso or head. 1991 T. Dupuy How to defeat Saddam Hussein vi. 77 The Iraqis lay out their minefields so as to require the attacker to concentrate his armor into an open ‘kill zone’. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online June 2022). killn.² Brit. /kɪl/, U.S. /kɪl/ Etymology: < Dutch kil, Middle Dutch kille river-bed, channel. U.S. local. A stream, ‘creek’, or tributary river: so called in parts of North America originally settled by the Dutch (esp. in place-names, as Schuylkill). ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > water > rivers and streams > tributary > [noun] succour1596 creek1622 kill1669 sidestream1715 feeder1795 tribute-river1820 tributary1822 affluent1829 confluent1849 sub-river1849 influent1859 1669 Pennsylvania Arch. I. 29 A Certain Island..lying and being in a Kill which runnes into the Scholekill. 1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 494 A little pleasant stream, called Eusopus kill or creek. 1879 J. Burroughs Locusts & Wild Honey 169 Kills and dividing ridges. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022). killn.³ Brit. /kɪl/, U.S. /kɪl/, Irish English /kɪl/, Scottish English /kɪl/ Forms: Also kil. Etymology: < Irish and Gaelic cill, Old Irish cell ( < Latin cella cell n.¹), cell, church, burial place (especially as first element of place-names). The cell of an old Celtic monk or hermit; an ancient Irish or Scottish church. ΘΚΠ society > faith > artefacts > monastic property (general) > hermitage > [noun] anchor settleOE anchor-house?c1225 cabin1362 anchorage1593 anchorhold1631 hermitary1754 reclusion1808 kill1827 ashram1917 society > faith > artefacts > sanctuary or holy place > church or place of worship > [noun] > ancient Irish or Scottish kill1827 1827 G. Higgins Celtic Druids 190 Ripon..where was a kil or cel of the Culdees in the time of Bede. 1851 H. Newland Erne 191 It once contained a cell, or kill, and is the real Enniskillen. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online June 2022). killn.⁴ Brit. /kɪl/, U.S. /kɪl/ Forms: Also kiln. Etymology: Origin unascertained. On the Thames: An eel-trap or weel. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > fish-trap > [noun] > trap for eels eel-set157. kill1630 eel-pot1631 buck1694 burrock1701 grig-weel1798 hinaki1845 eel-buck1866 eel-putchon1883 eel-weel1883 1630 Order in R. Griffiths Ess. Jurisdict. Thames (1746) 66 No Fisherman..shall lay any Weels called Kills in any Place of the River. 1879 in Notes & Queries 5th Ser. XI. 245 Kiln, an eel-trap, called also a ‘weel’ or ‘weal’. In use on the Thames. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022). killv. Brit. /kɪl/, U.S. /kɪl/ Forms: Past tense and participle killed /kɪld/. Forms: α. Middle English culle(n, kulle(n(ü). β. Middle English kille(n, Middle English kylle, 1500s kyll, 1500s–1600s kil, 1500s– kill. γ. Middle English–1500s kelle. δ. ScottishMiddle English–1500s kele, keill. past tense Middle English culde, Middle English–1500s kild(e, Middle English kyld(e, (Middle English–1500s kelit, etc.); Middle English– killed. past participle Middle English ( y-)culled, ( i-)kilde), y-keld, Middle English– killed (Middle English–1500s kyld, kelyt, keild, etc., 1500s kylt, 1500s– kilt). Etymology: Of obscure origin; not found in the cognate languages. If in Old English, its type would be cyllan , conjecturally referred to an Old Germanic kuljan , ablaut-variant of kwaljan , whence Old English cwellan* to quell v.¹; but the original sense is against this. Known first in Layamon, and in southern texts, in form cüllen , küllen . In midland dialect normally kille(n , kill , the common form in Middle English; kelle is rare. The usual Scots form in 15–16th cent. was kele , keill , the vowel of which is difficult to account for. In Middle English the past tense and past participle varied between killed and kild ; exceptionally the participle appears as kilt (compare spilt ), now regarded as an Irishism, and sometimes used jocularly, especially in sense 6b. †1. a. transitive. To strike, hit; to beat, knock. Also with off, and absol. or intransitive. Also figurative. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] swingc725 slayc825 knockc1000 platOE swengea1225 swipa1225 kill?c1225 girdc1275 hitc1275 befta1300 anhitc1300 frapa1330 lushc1330 reddec1330 takec1330 popc1390 swapa1400 jod?14.. quella1425 suffetc1440 smith1451 nolpc1540 bedunch1567 percuss1575 noba1586 affrap1590 cuff?1611 doda1661 buffa1796 pug1802 nob1811 scud1814 bunt1825 belt1838 duntle1850 punt1886 plunk1888 potch1892 to stick one on1910 clunk1943 zonk1950 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 102 Þach þenne aword culle þe [= thee] ful harde up onþe breoste. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10138 Ofte me hine smæt mid smærte ȝerden. ofte me hine culde swa me deð crosce. c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 545 He starte vp and streiȝte to his hache, culles on mennes hedes þat þei doun lyen. c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 876 We kylle of þyn heued. †b. To cast or throw out; to clear out.(For a similar connection between the notions of striking and throwing, cf. the senses of German schlagen (Danish slaa) slay v.¹, and schmeissen (Danish smide) smite v.) ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > clear out or away kill?c1225 purge1340 void1390 roota1398 devoida1400 rida1450 betwechec1450 redd1479 to make (clean, quick, etc.) riddance1528 expurge1542 vacuate1572 free1599 cleanse1628 rede1638 to clear out1655 dress1701 to clear away1711 to clear off1766 dissaturate1866 cancel1990 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 255 Ach to hire achne schrift fader oðer to sum lif hali mon ȝef ha mei him habben culle as [read al] þe þot ut [a1250 Nero kulle al ut þet is iðe krocke]. 2. a. To put to death; to deprive of life; to slay, slaughter. In early use implying personal agency and the use of a weapon; later, extended to any means or cause which puts an end to life, as an accident, over-work, grief, drink, a disease, etc. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)] swevec725 quelmeOE slayc893 quelleOE of-falleOE ofslayeOE aquellc950 ayeteeOE spillc950 beliveOE to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE fordoa1000 forfarea1000 asweveOE drepeOE forleseOE martyrOE to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE bringc1175 off-quellc1175 quenchc1175 forswelta1225 adeadc1225 to bring of daysc1225 to do to deathc1225 to draw (a person) to deathc1225 murder?c1225 aslayc1275 forferec1275 to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275 martyrc1300 strangle1303 destroya1325 misdoa1325 killc1330 tailc1330 to take the life of (also fro)c1330 enda1340 to kill to (into, unto) death1362 brittena1375 deadc1374 to ding to deathc1380 mortifya1382 perisha1387 to dight to death1393 colea1400 fella1400 kill out (away, down, up)a1400 to slay up or downa1400 swelta1400 voida1400 deliverc1400 starvec1425 jugylc1440 morta1450 to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480 to put offc1485 to-slaya1500 to make away with1502 to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503 rida1513 to put downa1525 to hang out of the way1528 dispatch?1529 strikea1535 occidea1538 to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540 to fling to deathc1540 extinct1548 to make out of the way1551 to fet offa1556 to cut offc1565 to make away?1566 occise1575 spoil1578 senda1586 to put away1588 exanimate1593 unmortalize1593 speed1594 unlive1594 execute1597 dislive1598 extinguish1598 to lay along1599 to make hence1605 conclude1606 kill off1607 disanimate1609 feeze1609 to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611 to kill dead1615 transporta1616 spatch1616 to take off1619 mactate1623 to make meat of1632 to turn up1642 inanimate1647 pop1649 enecate1657 cadaverate1658 expedite1678 to make dog's meat of1679 to make mincemeat of1709 sluice1749 finisha1753 royna1770 still1778 do1780 deaden1807 deathifyc1810 to lay out1829 cool1833 to use up1833 puckeroo1840 to rub out1840 cadaverize1841 to put under the sod1847 suicide1852 outkill1860 to fix1875 to put under1879 corpse1884 stiffen1888 tip1891 to do away with1899 to take out1900 stretch1902 red-light1906 huff1919 to knock rotten1919 skittle1919 liquidate1924 clip1927 to set over1931 creasea1935 ice1941 lose1942 to put to sleep1942 zap1942 hit1955 to take down1967 wax1968 trash1973 ace1975 α. c1330 King of Tars 179 The Sarazins withouten fayle The Cristene culde in that batayle. 13.. Song Yesterday 146 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 137 Ȝif þi neiȝebor þe manas, Oþur to culle, oþur to bete. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. Prol. 185 Thouȝ we culled [C-text 199 hadde ycullid] þe catte, ȝut sholde þer come another. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xvi. 137 Thei casten & contreueden To kulle hym whan þei miȝte. β. c1374 G. Chaucer Anelida & Arcite 53 Yche other for to kylle With blody speris.c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xx. 15 This is the eyr, sle we him, that the eritage be maad oure. And thei killiden him.1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VIII. 5 At Wycombmalban þey were i-kilde [v.r. y-keld].a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 66 Commynly they be other kyld where they are brede or sold.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1343 Þaire kyng was kylt.1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. v. sig. E3 What art thou, that telst of Nephews kilt?1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 479 Men are rather killed with the impatience they have in adversity, then adversity it selfe.1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 145 Orpheus..Whom ev'n the salvage Beasts had spar'd, they kill'd, And strew'd his mangl'd Limbs about the Field. View more context for this quotation1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. 358 This terrible blast..instantly kills all those that it involves in its passage.1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair xlv. 407 He was killing himself by late hours and intense application.1895 Law Times 100 133/2 A man who had been killed at a level crossing by a railway train.figurative.1614 A. Saul Famous Game Chesse-play To Rdr. sig. A4^v But as they [sc.pawns] march who so they finde doe in their colour stande, Such may they kill.γ. 1387 [see β. ]. a1400 Octouian 1063 Thy fader hath keld Well many a bole and doun yfeld.c1440 Partonope 1054 Kelle these peuple of fals lawe.15.. in Bann. MS. lf. 145 a Telyeouris ar tyrranis in kelling of lyiss.δ. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 651 His brothir Hew was kelyt thar full cald.1568 (a1508) W. Kennedy Flyting (Bannatyne) in Poems W. Dunbar (1998) I. 209 The feild, Quhair twelf thowsand trew Scottismen wer keild.1572 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxxiii. 46 Sair boistit thay my husband commoun-weill, And maid thair vowis and aithis him for to keill.a1600 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems lii. 29 Vncourtesly thus keill thay mo Than I. b. With adverbial complements, as kill out (away, †down, †up), kill off, to cut off completely, to remove, extinguish, or get rid of (a number, a whole tribe, etc.) by killing. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)] swevec725 quelmeOE slayc893 quelleOE of-falleOE ofslayeOE aquellc950 ayeteeOE spillc950 beliveOE to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE fordoa1000 forfarea1000 asweveOE drepeOE forleseOE martyrOE to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE bringc1175 off-quellc1175 quenchc1175 forswelta1225 adeadc1225 to bring of daysc1225 to do to deathc1225 to draw (a person) to deathc1225 murder?c1225 aslayc1275 forferec1275 to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275 martyrc1300 strangle1303 destroya1325 misdoa1325 killc1330 tailc1330 to take the life of (also fro)c1330 enda1340 to kill to (into, unto) death1362 brittena1375 deadc1374 to ding to deathc1380 mortifya1382 perisha1387 to dight to death1393 colea1400 fella1400 kill out (away, down, up)a1400 to slay up or downa1400 swelta1400 voida1400 deliverc1400 starvec1425 jugylc1440 morta1450 to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480 to put offc1485 to-slaya1500 to make away with1502 to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503 rida1513 to put downa1525 to hang out of the way1528 dispatch?1529 strikea1535 occidea1538 to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540 to fling to deathc1540 extinct1548 to make out of the way1551 to fet offa1556 to cut offc1565 to make away?1566 occise1575 spoil1578 senda1586 to put away1588 exanimate1593 unmortalize1593 speed1594 unlive1594 execute1597 dislive1598 extinguish1598 to lay along1599 to make hence1605 conclude1606 kill off1607 disanimate1609 feeze1609 to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611 to kill dead1615 transporta1616 spatch1616 to take off1619 mactate1623 to make meat of1632 to turn up1642 inanimate1647 pop1649 enecate1657 cadaverate1658 expedite1678 to make dog's meat of1679 to make mincemeat of1709 sluice1749 finisha1753 royna1770 still1778 do1780 deaden1807 deathifyc1810 to lay out1829 cool1833 to use up1833 puckeroo1840 to rub out1840 cadaverize1841 to put under the sod1847 suicide1852 outkill1860 to fix1875 to put under1879 corpse1884 stiffen1888 tip1891 to do away with1899 to take out1900 stretch1902 red-light1906 huff1919 to knock rotten1919 skittle1919 liquidate1924 clip1927 to set over1931 creasea1935 ice1941 lose1942 to put to sleep1942 zap1942 hit1955 to take down1967 wax1968 trash1973 ace1975 a1400–50 Alexander 2377 Þe kyng of þaire kythe was killid doun & heded. a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 566 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 112 He..Kelit dovne yar capitanis. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 598/2 I kyll up, as one that kylleth the resydewe where many have ben kylled afore. 1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 673 Although the fœcundity of Swine bee great, yet it is better to kil off two or three..then to permit them to sucke their dam. a1629 W. Hinde Faithfull Remonstr. (1641) xiv. 47 Hee presently killed up the game, and disparked the Parke. 1849 Tait's Edinb. Mag. 16 90/1 The wars of the Roses killed them out. 1875 Ld. Tennyson Queen Mary iii. v. 164 Sometime I have wish'd That I were caught, and kill'd away at once Out of the flutter. 1894 H. Drummond Lowell Lect. Ascent of Man 264 [Nature] produces fitness by killing off the unfit. 1966 R. M. Lockley Grey Seal, Common Seal x. 147 In New Zealand I saw how the red deer are killing out the young native forest trees in the South Island Alps. 1970 New Scientist 31 Dec. 576/1 Broilers are ‘killed out’ at eight weeks. 1972 Country Life 30 Nov. 1504/2 These small birds [sc. turkeys]..are killed out at 10–12 weeks of age. c. With complement expressing the result: to kill to (†into, unto) death, to kill dead. (Cf. German totschlagen, Dutch doodslaan.) ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)] swevec725 quelmeOE slayc893 quelleOE of-falleOE ofslayeOE aquellc950 ayeteeOE spillc950 beliveOE to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE fordoa1000 forfarea1000 asweveOE drepeOE forleseOE martyrOE to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE bringc1175 off-quellc1175 quenchc1175 forswelta1225 adeadc1225 to bring of daysc1225 to do to deathc1225 to draw (a person) to deathc1225 murder?c1225 aslayc1275 forferec1275 to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275 martyrc1300 strangle1303 destroya1325 misdoa1325 killc1330 tailc1330 to take the life of (also fro)c1330 enda1340 to kill to (into, unto) death1362 brittena1375 deadc1374 to ding to deathc1380 mortifya1382 perisha1387 to dight to death1393 colea1400 fella1400 kill out (away, down, up)a1400 to slay up or downa1400 swelta1400 voida1400 deliverc1400 starvec1425 jugylc1440 morta1450 to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480 to put offc1485 to-slaya1500 to make away with1502 to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503 rida1513 to put downa1525 to hang out of the way1528 dispatch?1529 strikea1535 occidea1538 to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540 to fling to deathc1540 extinct1548 to make out of the way1551 to fet offa1556 to cut offc1565 to make away?1566 occise1575 spoil1578 senda1586 to put away1588 exanimate1593 unmortalize1593 speed1594 unlive1594 execute1597 dislive1598 extinguish1598 to lay along1599 to make hence1605 conclude1606 kill off1607 disanimate1609 feeze1609 to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611 to kill dead1615 transporta1616 spatch1616 to take off1619 mactate1623 to make meat of1632 to turn up1642 inanimate1647 pop1649 enecate1657 cadaverate1658 expedite1678 to make dog's meat of1679 to make mincemeat of1709 sluice1749 finisha1753 royna1770 still1778 do1780 deaden1807 deathifyc1810 to lay out1829 cool1833 to use up1833 puckeroo1840 to rub out1840 cadaverize1841 to put under the sod1847 suicide1852 outkill1860 to fix1875 to put under1879 corpse1884 stiffen1888 tip1891 to do away with1899 to take out1900 stretch1902 red-light1906 huff1919 to knock rotten1919 skittle1919 liquidate1924 clip1927 to set over1931 creasea1935 ice1941 lose1942 to put to sleep1942 zap1942 hit1955 to take down1967 wax1968 trash1973 ace1975 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. xi. 282 Poule þe apostil þat no pite ne hadde, Cristene kynde to kille to deþe. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1734 The Grekes..kyld all our kynnesmen into colde dethe. 1615 Bp. J. Hall No Peace with Rome xxi, in Recoll. Treat. 883 In the Popish Churches... Their very wals kill vs dead. 1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon i. 1. 35 Some of the company..found the Horse..kill'd stone dead. 1700 G. Farquhar Constant Couple iv. i. 38 Are you sure you kill'd him dead. 1882 J. C. Morison Macaulay iii. 92 Bentley did kill his adversary dead. d. absol. To perform the act of killing; to commit murder or slaughter. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (intransitive)] to shed blood?a1100 to let blood?c1225 to be (a person's) priesta1450 shortena1535 kill1535 to throw (also turn, etc.) over the perch1568 to trip (also turn, tumble, kick, etc.) up a person's heels1587 to make dice of (a person's) bones1591 to put out (also quench) a person's light(s)1599 account1848 to fix1875 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. xx. 13 Thou shalt not kyll. 1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 iv. iii. 7 Thou shalt haue licence to kil [1623 kill] for foure score. 1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Persian Wars i. 2 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian Which gives such force to the Arrow, that where it lights it kils. 1810 Sporting Mag. 35 300 They killed in one of the new plantations near Blankney. 1883 W. Black in Harper's Mag. Dec. 64/2 They had not been ‘killing’ at any of the farms. e. intransitive in passive sense: To be killed; to suffer killing. Of an animal: To yield (so much meat) when killed. Also, to kill out. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > killing > killing of animals > kill animal [verb (intransitive)] kill1857 cull1979 1857 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 18 i. 162 On inquiry of butchers..I find that one characteristic of a beast which kills well, is to have a little stomach. 1888 Whitby Gaz. 25 Feb. 4/7 I saw the cow in the slaughter-house... She killed 34 stones. 1950 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. Apr. 364/1 The Southdown has the advantage over the Leicester in that its progeny are quicker maturing and kill out at prime weight and at an earlier age (3 to 4 months). 1971 Country Life 30 Dec. 1857/3 Limousin-sired fat cattle killed out at 68 per cent; far above our national average for our native breeds. f. transitive. To procure (meat) by killing animals. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > killing > killing of animals > kill animal [verb (transitive)] slayc1000 slaughter1535 kill1560 to bring down1768 bag1814 mop1859 murder1863 beef1869 cull1889 carcass1906 harvest1947 1560 Bible (Geneva) 1 Sam. xxv. 11 My bread, & my water, & my flesh that I haue killed for my sherers. 1689 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 511 The lords of the admiralty have sent orders..to kill beefe and pork for 65 men of war. 1838 G. P. R. James Robber I. vi. 121 The beef was not killed at the end of the table. g. To represent as killed or as dead. to kill off: to remove the names of dead officers from the navy-list (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 1867). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > be the author of or write (a work) [verb (transitive)] > present by literary treatment > by specific kind of literary treatment hitch1749 to do off1819 kill1867 tea-table1938 1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. iii. 199 (note) Richer seems to kill him [Rolf] at Eu in 925. 1901 N.E.D. at Kill Mod. A novelist who always kills the hero in the last chapter. 3. transferred. a. To destroy the vitality of (any organism or organic substance), the activity of (a disease, etc.). Also, in later use, To destroy, break up, or ruin anything. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] to bring to noughteOE forspillc893 fordilghec900 to bring to naughtOE astryea1200 stroyc1200 forferec1275 misdoa1325 destroyc1330 naught1340 dingc1380 beshenda1400 devoida1400 unshapea1400 to wend downa1400 brittenc1400 unloukc1400 perishc1426 defeat1435 unmake1439 lithc1450 spend1481 kill1530 to shend ofc1540 quade1565 to make away1566 discreate1570 wrake1570 wracka1586 unwork1587 gaster1609 defease1621 unbe1624 uncreate1633 destructa1638 naufragate1648 stifle1725 stramash1788 disannul1794 destructify1841 locust1868 to knock out1944 dick1972 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 598/2 I kyll, as any freatynge medecyne kylleth deede flesshe. 1558 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli Secretes Alexis of Piemount (1568) 40 a An oyntment to kill the plague. 1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 186 With this they kill haire, for vpon the place where the haire was puld off, they poure this bloud, and then it neuer groweth more. 1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid ii. ix. 83 A Surgeon made experiment on him with the white of Eggs and Bole, whereby the Eye was killed. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 56 Tough Thistles choak'd the Fields, and kill'd the Corn. View more context for this quotation 1799 A. Young Gen. View Agric. County Lincoln 145 (E.D.D.) Potatoes have quite killed the land. 1872 T. H. Huxley Lessons Elem. Physiol. (ed. 6) i. 18 A burn may kill more or less of the skin. 1901 N.E.D. at Kill Mod. With us the fuchsia is killed down every winter, and so never grows to a shrub in the open air. b. To destroy the active quality of (a substance); e.g. the fluidity of mercury, the ductility of wire. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > deprive of essential elements or qualities unbowel1552 kill1613 unessence1644 pith1903 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 724 (note) Some thinke that Quicke-silver cannot quite be killed. 1700 W. Salmon Pharmacopœia Bateana (ed. 2) ii. xiii. 661/1 The Quick-silver before it can be mixed with the other Ingredients, is to be killed with the Turpentine. 1865 Morning Star 1 June If the phosphorus had not been properly ‘killed’ by being mixed with gum, it would probably explode when chloride of potass was added. 1875 R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) III. 846 The lye will have lost its causticity, or, in technical language,..it is killed. 1876 W. H. Preece & J. Sivewright Telegraphy 177 The wire..to be then stretched (‘killed’) to the extent of two per cent. by passing round drums, either varying in diameter or differentially geared as to speed. 1881 F. Young Every Man his own Mechanic §1406 Dampness in the air technically speaking kills the size, that is to say deprives it of its binding power. c. To neutralize the effect of. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)] > neutralize or counteract fordoc1175 counterpoisec1374 correct1578 countercheck1590 countervail1590 cancel1633 counterbalance1636 counterswaya1640 countermand1645 counter-influence1667 counteract1694 destroy1726 neutralizea1797 counterweigh1825 antagonize1833 mitigate1857 kill1858 1858 O. W. Holmes Autocrat of Breakfast-table v. 138 Indefinite quantities of black tea to kill any extra glass of red claret he may have swallowed. d. To consume; to eat or drink; spec. to empty (a bottle of liquor). colloquial (originally U.S.). ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > [verb (transitive)] brookc950 abiteOE haveOE afangOE takec1175 notea1200 usec1300 spendc1380 consumec1400 partake1602 pree1680 discuss1751 tuck1784 to put down1795 to be (also go) at the ——1796 go1830 kill1833 to put away1839 down1852 to put over1880 to wrap (oneself) (a)round1880 shift1896 the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (transitive)] > drink intoxicating liquor > drink up or drain quax1509 toom?a1513 quaff1534 to play off1598 upsy-friese1617 bumbaste1640 dust1673 fuddlec1680 whemmel1721 toota1774 buzz1785 kill1833 floor1837 lower1920 slam1982 1833 Sketches & Eccentricities D. Crockett xi. 145 I can kill more lickur..and cool out more men than any man you can find in all Kentucky. 1887 Lantern (New Orleans) 20 Aug. 2/2 The lady had killed a dozen [oysters]. 1934 J. T. Farrell Young Manhood Studs Lonigan xviii. 291 ‘We'll drink to that,’ said Fat. They killed the bottle. 1967 N. Fitzgerald Affairs of Death vii. 125 We drank with maudlin solemnity to Stella's memory, killing the bottle in the process. e. In printing or journalism, to cancel or delete (matter) before publication; to discard (type); to suppress or deny (a story, etc.). colloquial (originally U.S.). ΘΚΠ society > communication > printing > correction > correct [verb (transitive)] > cancel matter cancel1738 kill1865 society > communication > journalism > editing > edit [verb (transitive)] > reject a story kill1865 spike1908 1865 Wilkes' Spirit of Times (N.Y.) 16 Dec. 256/1 Two galleys of equal length, one being marked ‘Must’, the other ‘Kill this’. 1887 Courier-Jrnl. (Louisville, Kentucky) 29 Jan. 5/4 Please kill the deer story sent by Associated Press this morning. 1903 E. L. Shuman Pract. Journalism 62 The editor can make room by killing the last paragraphs of the other stories. 1929 M. Lief Hangover 235 It got past the copy desk for the first edition and then some wise guy caught it and killed it in the others. 1938 E. Waugh Scoop ii. i. 133 We're killing this story... Go round to the Press Bureau and have Benito issue an official dementi. 1967 R. R. Karch & E. J. Buber Graphic Arts Procedures: Offset Processes ii. 40 ‘Dead’ ads are killed. 1972 Human World May 75 This is a dull and confused book. (We killed our review of it as not worth the space.) f. To turn off or stop (an engine, esp. the motor of a car). colloquial (originally U.S.). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cause to cease or put a stop to > cause (a thing) to cease action > specific electricity or a motor kill1886 to cut out1910 to turn off1921 cut1938 1886 Philadelphia Evening Tel. 20 Mar. The hose was cut..and engines killed so that it will take days to bring them to life again. 1907 E. S. Field Six-cylinder Courtship 9 I lost no time in starting. What a blessing that I hadn't killed my engine! 1935 M. M. Atwater Murder in Midsummer iv. 41 Jim killed the engine and switched off the lights. 1971 D. MacKenzie Sleep is for Rich vi. 196 I moved the hired car into the cobbled courtyard... I killed the motor. g. Metallurgy. To treat (steel when molten) so as to prevent the evolution of oxygen on solidification (now done by adding a reducing agent: cf. killed adj. 2b); to remove (iron oxides) from the molten metal by this means. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > convert into steel > processes involved in overblow1869 recarburize1870 bessemerize1888 nodulize1905 kill1906 pneumatize1949 1906 W. Macfarlane Princ. & Pract. Iron & Steel Manuf. iv. 46 Higher class steel requires ‘killing’—that is, it requires to be kept in the furnace for about half an hour..after it has become fluid and it must be poured at a proper temperature. 1918 A. W. Brearley & H. Brearley Ingots & Ingot Moulds x. 172 When cast steel was made by the crucible process..it was necessary to continue the heating, and..increase the temperature as far as possible, in order to ‘kill’ the steel. 1926 Jrnl. Iron & Steel Inst. 114 407 On account of the titanium alloy being of only 17 per cent. strength, it is not practicable to kill a heat of steel with titanium only. 1940 E. N. Simons & E. Gregory Steel Manuf. vi. 31 There are several ways of killing steel. One..is the addition in the ingot mould before teeming of about 0·02 per cent of metallic aluminium (Al) to the melt. 1969 R. Stephen Iron & Steel for Operatives xii. 56/1 All the iron oxide has been removed, or killed by de-oxidation, and has entered the slag in the ladle. h. To extinguish or obscure (a light); also, to extinguish (a cigarette). colloquial. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > put out or extinguish fire, pain, etc. aquenchc1000 adweschOE quenchc1175 extinct?a1475 out1502 dead1611 stifle1629 kill1934 1934 Tit-bits 31 Mar. 12/1 ‘Niggers’ are not men of colour, but blackboards used to ‘kill’ unwanted reflections from the powerful lights. 1939 Evening News 7 Nov. 4/5 ‘Kill that baby and put a nigger in its place.’ (‘Put out that small spotlight and substitute a black screen’). 1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 476/2 Kill (Cinema), colloquialism for extinguish lights. 1942 R. Chandler High Window (1943) xix. 135 She killed her cigarette in Morny's copper goldfish bowl, speared the crushed stub absently with the letter opener and dropped it into the waste-basket. 1959 M. Pugh Chancer 153 Could you kill that cigarette..? It's smouldering somewhere. 1967 J. Wainwright Worms must Wait lxxvii. 200 The window shattered and the lights were killed almost simultaneously. 4. figurative. a. To destroy, do away with, put an end to, suppress (a feeling, desire, project, or other non-material thing). ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > bring to ruin or put an end to undoc950 shendOE forfarea1000 endc1000 to do awayOE aquenchc1175 slayc1175 slayc1175 stathea1200 tinea1300 to-spilla1300 batec1300 bleschea1325 honisha1325 leesea1325 wastec1325 stanch1338 corrumpa1340 destroy1340 to put awayc1350 dissolvec1374 supplanta1382 to-shend1382 aneantizec1384 avoidc1384 to put outa1398 beshenda1400 swelta1400 amortizec1405 distract1413 consumec1425 shelfc1425 abroge1427 downthringc1430 kill1435 poisonc1450 defeat1474 perish1509 to blow away1523 abrogatea1529 to prick (also turn, pitch) over the perka1529 dash?1529 to bring (also send) to (the) pot1531 put in the pot1531 wipea1538 extermine1539 fatec1540 peppera1550 disappoint1563 to put (also set) beside the saddle1563 to cut the throat of1565 to throw (also turn, etc.) over the perch1568 to make a hand of (also on, with)1569 demolish1570 to break the neck of1576 to make shipwreck of1577 spoil1578 to knock on (in) the head (also rarely at head)1579 cipher1589 ruinate1590 to cut off by the shins1592 shipwreck1599 exterminate1605 finish1611 damnify1612 ravel1614 braina1616 stagger1629 unrivet1630 consummate1634 pulverizea1640 baffle1649 devil1652 to blow up1660 feague1668 shatter1683 cook1708 to die away1748 to prove fatal (to)1759 to knock up1764 to knock (or kick) the hindsight out or off1834 to put the kibosh on1834 to cook (rarely do) one's goose1835 kibosh1841 to chaw up1843 cooper1851 to jack up1870 scuttle1888 to bugger up1891 jigger1895 torpedo1895 on the fritz1900 to put paid to1901 rot1908 down and out1916 scuppera1918 to put the skids under1918 stonker1919 liquidate1924 to screw up1933 cruel1934 to dig the grave of1934 pox1935 blow1936 to hit for six1937 to piss up1937 to dust off1938 zap1976 R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Fire of Love 81 Well vsyd in prayinge,..all wykkydnes kylland & vnclennes. 1573 T. Cartwright Replye to Answere Whitgifte 26 Sufficient to quench her thirst and kill her hunger. 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 238 (margin) To soden honor in youth killeth further desier of fame. 1617 R. Wilkinson Barwick Bridge 22 Yea, warre and contention kill up even conscience it selfe. 1710 Tatler No. 191. ⁋1 The monstrous Affectation of being thought artful, immediately kills all Thoughts of Humanity and Goodness. 1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James (new ed.) iv, in Writings I. 31 [He] detected his wife painfully endeavouring to kill a laugh. 1872 H. P. Liddon Some Elements Relig. vi. 214 In the Jew of the age of Tiberius, the national feeling..had almost killed out the human. 1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xix. 319 You have killed her faith as well as ruined her life. b. To neutralize, destroy, or spoil (an appearance or quality) by contrast or incongruity. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > disfigurement > disfigure [verb (transitive)] > by contrast kill1859 1859 T. J. Gullick & J. Timbs Painting 117 The necessity of using body-colour, in order, by its opacity, to ‘kill’—using the painter's phrase—..the unpleasant hue of the photograph. 1877 J. C. Cox Notes on Churches of Derbyshire II. 378 The high blank walls..kill the grace of the lancet windows on the..sides of the chancel. c. Theatrical colloquial. (See quot. 1952.) ΚΠ 1933 P. Godfrey Back-stage iii. 37 When an actor complains that his ‘laughs’ have been ‘killed’ he means that the audience have been prevented from laughing at his comedy. 1952 W. Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms 106 Kill a laugh, to start a fresh line before the laugh evoked by the preceding one has died down. d. Athletics. To put (a rival runner) out of contention in a race by setting a fast pace, or suddenly accelerating. Also with off. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > racing on foot > race [verb (transitive)] > put out of contention kill1962 1962 B. Hewson Flying Feet xi. 132 Derek..slowed the pace to a crawl, obviously hoping to use his finishing kick to kill off Mike and myself. 1968 G. Gretton Out in Front v. 74 He set a fast pace which ‘killed’ Heino, who collapsed and retired. 5. To consume or spend (time, or any portion of time), so as to bring it to an end. Said of a person, or an occupation or amusement. ΘΚΠ the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)] overdoOE adreeOE wreaka1300 to draw forthc1300 dispend1340 pass1340 drivea1375 wastec1381 occupyc1384 overpassa1387 to pass over ——a1393 usec1400 spend1423 contrive?a1475 overdrive1487 consumea1500 to pass forth1509 to drive off1517 lead1523 to ride out1529 to wear out, forth1530 to pass away?1550 to put offc1550 shiftc1562 to tire out1563 wear1567 to drive out1570 entertainc1570 expire1589 tire1589 outwear1590 to see out1590 outrun1592 outgo1595 overshoot1597 to pass out1603 fleeta1616 elapse1654 term1654 trickle1657 to put over1679 absorb1686 spin1696 exercise1711 kill1728 to get through ——1748 to get over ——1751 tickc1870 fill1875 the world > action or operation > inaction > idleness, lack of occupation or activity > cause to be idle or inactive [verb (transitive)] > occupy oneself triflingly with > kill (time or a period) to blow (on) one's nails1566 to spin out1608 murder1700 kill1728 to bite one's nails1883 1728 C. Cibber Vanbrugh's Provok'd Husband i. i. 18 What think you, if we three sat soberly down, to kill an Hour at Ombre? a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 208 It is ridiculous to see how many shifts are made to kill time, as it is called. 1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey I. i. v. 34 A sawney who was killing the half-holiday by looking out of the window. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 1st Ser. 74 Tapestry in which ladies employed their needles by way of killing time. 6. In hyperbolic use: To come near to killing. a. To overwhelm (a person) by a strong impression on the mind, as of admiration, astonishment, alarm, grief, etc.: to impress with irresistible force. Also, to convulse (someone) with laughter; to excite, thrill, delight. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > effect produced on emotions > have an effect on [verb (transitive)] > with irresistible force kill1634 to knock sideways1890 to blow (a person's) mind1967 the mind > emotion > excitement > pleasurable excitement > affect with pleasurable excitement [verb (transitive)] > give thrill of pleasurable excitement to dirl1513 slay1863 razzle-dazzle1886 to turn on1903 panic1920 wow1924 kill1938 to knock out1942 fracture1946 gas1947 stoke1963 the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > please or give pleasure to [verb (transitive)] > overcome with pleasure to tickle to death1834 to tickle pink1922 kill1938 the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > cause laughter [verb (transitive)] > convulse with laughter shake?1606 convulse1751 to break up1895 slay1927 kill1938 fracture1946 1634 [implied in: T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile To Earle of Pembroke sig. A2^v Those who are suddenly taken with a killing beautie. (at killing adj. 2c)]. 1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 144. ⁋1 If they [Handsom People] do not kill at first Sight, as the Phrase is, a second Interview disarms them of all their Power. 1712 A. Pope Rape of Locke ii, in Misc. Poems 371 Chloë stept in, and kill'd him with a Frown. 1783 F. Burney Diary Jan. He behaves to me with a kind of deference that kills me. 1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain ii. viii. 414 Ethel saw Meta in fits of laughing... ‘Ethel! you will kill me!’ said Meta, sinking back on the sofa.] 1938 C. Calloway Hi De Ho 16 Kill me, show me a good time, send me. 1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §591/5 Delight the audience,..kill 'em. 1951 J. D. Salinger Catcher in Rye x. 82 I took her to see this French movie... It killed her. 1951 J. D. Salinger Catcher in Rye x. 83 She killed Allie, too. I mean he liked her, too. 1960 C. Dale Spring of Love ix. 176 He kills me sometimes, the things he says. 1971 Melody Maker 13 Nov. 31/6 During the Elton John tour in the States, which was a gas, man, we killed them night after night. b. To injure seriously; to affect with severe pain or suffering. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > cause of mental anguish or torment > cause anguish to or torment [verb (transitive)] quelmeOE eatc1000 martyrOE fretc1175 woundc1175 to-fret?c1225 gnawc1230 to-traya1250 torment1297 renda1333 anguish1340 grindc1350 wringc1374 debreakc1384 ofpinec1390 rivea1400 urn1488 reboil1528 whip1530 cruciate1532 pinch1548 spur-galla1555 agonize1570 rack1576 cut1582 excruciate1590 scorchc1595 discruciate1596 butcher1597 split1597 torture1598 lacerate1600 harrow1603 hell1614 to eat upa1616 arrow1628 martyrize1652 percruciate1656 tear1666 crucify1702 flay1782 wrench1798 kill1800 to cut up1843 1800 M. Edgeworth Castle Rackrent 158 My lady Rackrent was all kilt and smashed, and they lifted her into a cabin hard by..and they say my lady can't live any way. 1816 J. Austen Emma III. vi. 106 Nothing killed him like heat—he could bear any degree of cold. View more context for this quotation 1824 C. K. Sharpe Corr. (1888) II. 303 I am so kilt all over with rheumatism, as Irishmen speak, that I can scarcely hold a pen. 1899 G. W. Peck Peck's Uncle Ike (1903) xix. 172 ‘Now wouldn't that kill you,’ said the boy... ‘That breaks up my scheme to fight the French.’ a1953 E. O'Neill Long Day's Journey (1956) ii. i. 53 No wonder my feet kill me each night. a1961 J. Cannan All is Discovered (1962) i. 19 My feet are killing me anyway and this dam' strapless bra is rubbing me raw. a1961 J. Cannan All is Discovered (1962) vi. 140 The ‘middy’-heeled shoes which after the long walk along the hot roads had been ‘killing’ her. 1965 J. Porter Dover Two v. 61 The long cold walk..did nothing to lighten Dover's mood. His feet were killing him. c. Used in the infinitive form after another verb with adverbial force = ‘to a great or impressive degree’; esp. in dressed (got up, etc.) to kill, dressed showily or impressively. colloquial. ΚΠ 1818 J. Keats Let. 23 Jan. (1958) I. 216 One chap was dressed to kill for the King in Bombastes. 1845 N.Y. Evening Express 5 Mar. 2/4 Mrs. Polk..dresses ‘to kill’. 1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (at cited word) To do anything to kill, is a common vulgarism, and means to do it to the uttermost; to carry it to the fullest extent; as, ‘He drives to kill’; ‘she dances to kill’. 1862 J. R. Lowell Biglow Papers 2nd Ser. i. ii. 36 'T was Concord Bridge a-talkin' off to kill With the Stone Spike thet's druv thru Bunker Hill. a1871 Country Merchant When he came down after breakfast, to go over to the Judge's and to press his suit, he was dressed to kill. 1877 My Mother-in-Law vii His wife was there, dressed ‘to kill’, as he himself said. 1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xi. [Sirens] 273 Got up to kill: on eighteen bob a week. 1957 N. Mitford Voltaire in Love xviii. 218 Mme du Châtelet..always took the part of the leading lady, dressed up to kill and covered with diamonds. 1970 G. W. Barrax in S. Henderson Understanding New Black Poetry (1973) iii. 358 Dress to kill Shoot to kill Love to kill If you will But write to bring back the dead. 7. In various phrases. a. to kill a ball: (a) in tennis, to strike a ball so as to prevent it from being returned (see quot. 1883); (b) in football, to stop a ball dead. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > play football [verb (intransitive)] > actions to kill a ball1883 chip1889 miskick1901 to go in1914 to give (a ball) air1920 punt-kick1960 society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > lawn tennis > play tennis [verb (intransitive)] > types of stroke volley1819 cut1875 to kill a ball1883 press1897 undercut1926 dink1939 moonball1982 softball1982 1883 Daily News 26 June 6/6 Posting themselves close to the net, to intercept the ball as it came over, and by a severe downward stroke to hit it in such a manner that it could not possibly be returned—or, in other words, to ‘kill’ it. 1900 Daily News 23 Apr. 8/1 The ball had come in from the right, and McLuckie killed it, and shot a goal. b. to kill a bill (in parliament): to defeat it totally; to prevent it from passing; to veto it. ΘΚΠ society > law > legislation > make (laws) or establish as law [verb (transitive)] > defeat or veto a bill to throw out1604 lose1663 to kill a bill1832 1832 J. W. Croker in Croker Papers 14 Apr. (1884) II I have just had Haddington with me. He is confident of killing the bill. 1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. I. vi. 75 By ‘killing’ more bills than all his predecessors put together had done, Mr. Cleveland raised himself in public opinion. †c. to kill one's heart: to depress or discourage one completely. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > dejection > make dejected [verb (transitive)] > severely to kill one's heart1470 strike1598 accable1602 shatter1785 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur x. lviii Fy vpon treason said sir Trystram, for hit kylleth my herte to here this tale. 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 443 For their hartes were killed, bicause..they were euer ouerthrowen. 1654 E. Nicholas Papers (1892) II. 124 To see us totally ruined rather then deale with people according to their deserts, it kills our harts. d. to kill with kindness: to destroy or fatally harm by mistaken and excessive kindness. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > do harm or injury to > with excessive or mistaken kindness to kill with kindnessc1558 c1558 Enterlude of Welth, & Helth sig. D1^v With kindnes my her ye do kyll. 1582 G. Whetstone Heptameron Ciuill Disc. sig. Tiv^v You will kill her with kindnesse. 1607 T. Heywood (title) A woman kilde with kindnesse. a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. i. 194 This is a way to kil a Wife with kindnesse. View more context for this quotation 1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 100 Tom Coriat..was killed with Kindness by the English Merchants. 1699 G. Farquhar Love & Bottle iii. i. 25 I bear her an amorous grudge still..I cou'd kill her with kindness. 1761 G. Colman Jealous Wife iv. i. 67 You absolutely kill Him with Kindness. 1842 F. A. Kemble Let. 31 Mar. in Rec. Later Life (1882) II. 189 Lord Morpeth..has a..mother and sisters, and really should not, on their account, be killed with kindness. 1898 F. P. Dunne Mr. Dooley in Peace & War 38 ‘They'll kill him with kindness if he don't look out,’ said Mr. Hennessy. 1925 A. Huxley Along the Road 61 The country..has not been killed by the deadly kindness of those who, like myself, are nature's townsmen. 1935 I. J. C. Brown Heart of Eng. viii. 84 Now we purge by persuasion that new Beelzebub, the complex, or kill it by kindness. e. kill or cure, with reference to medical treatment or remedies, which either cure or prove fatal; also attributive, and absol. as n. ΚΠ 1764 S. Foote Mayor of Garret i. 3 Your worship knows, that kill or cure, I have contracted to physic the parish-poor by the great. 1778 R. James Diss. Fevers (ed. 8) 114 Dr. James's Powder, which I was determined to take, kill or cure. 1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues II. 33 Asclepius..adopted the rough ‘kill or cure’ method. 1898 Folk-lore IX. 14 The Lebanon mother knows no other remedy than the kill-or-cure of a dip in the sea for her babe. f. to kill two birds with one stone: see stone n. 16b. g. Ironical phr. it won't (etc.) kill you (or him, us, etc.): that would not be too much to endure. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > calmness > patience > be patient [phrase] > that which is endurable it won't (etc.) kill you (or him, us, etc.)1858 1858 A. Trollope Three Clerks I. vii. 130 ‘We are both used to that, I fancy,’ said Tudor, ‘so it won't kill us.’ 1913 J. Vaizey College Girl vi. 83 Suppose I ask them? Twopence three farthings each would not kill them! 1945 A. Kober Parm Me 123 Even if your father's gonna lay out a few dollars, O.K., so it's not gonna kill him! 1967 ‘G. North’ Sgt. Cluff & Day of Reckoning ii. 16 ‘You could have stopped in bed...’ ‘Lie there awake?’ ‘It wouldn't have killed you.’ ‘Getting my own breakfast didn't either.’ h. to kill the goods: in soap-making, to emulsify the melted fat by a partial saponification. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > soap-making > make soap [verb (intransitive)] > specific processes to kill the goods1885 1885 W. L. Carpenter Treat. Manuf. Soap 167 The boiling, and the addition of fat and lye, must be continued until a small sample..has a tolerably firm consistence... Practice alone will enable the operator to judge of the completion of this first operation, called ‘pasting’. In English phraseology, it is called ‘killing the goods’ or raw material. 1888 J. Cameron Soaps & Candles 82 Saponification, pasting, or killing the goods. 1894 C. R. A. Wright Animal & Veg. Fixed Oils 468 The effect of the action of the hot ley on the melted fatty matter is to ‘kill the goods’—i.e., to emulsify the whole, so that no distinct layer of melted fat swims up on taking a sample. i. ‘ To kill the sea (Naut.), to cause the sea to grow calmer, as by the action of a heavy rainfall upon turbulent waves. To kill the wind (Naut.), to reduce wind-velocity, as does a rain-storm on a high wind’. (Funk's Standard Dict. 1928.) 8. a. Leather Manufacturing. To remove the natural grease from (a hair skin). ΚΠ 1897 C. T. Davis Manuf. Leather 496 Before a skin can be colored it must first be tanned and prepared, and all grease removed from the hair so as to make it susceptible to the dye. The latter process is technically designated as ‘killing the skin’. b. Bridge. (See quot.) ΚΠ 1929 M. C. Work Compl. Contract Bridge Gloss. 240 High cards in a suit are ‘killed’ when they are led through and captured. Draft additions June 2015 transitive. colloquial (originally U.S.). To do or perform (something) impressively or conclusively. Also: spec. to do extremely well at (an examination subject). Frequently in to kill it. Cf. nail v. 6d. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > make a success of [verb (transitive)] > succeed in or achieve a purpose reacheOE awinc1000 attain1393 speedc1400 comprehenda1450 escheve1489 to make out1535 consecute1536 compass1549 achievea1569 aspire1581 obtain1589 subdue1590 to go a long (also great, short, etc.) way1624 arrivea1657 kill1899 nail1981 1899 Werner's Mag. Jan. 376/2 Kill, to do easily. 1906 Dial. Notes 3 ii. 143 Kill, to pass an examination perfectly. ‘I killed math.’ 1968 C. F. Baker et al. College Undergraduate Slang Study (typescript, Brown Univ.) 147 Kill it, do well on an exam. 1982 Campus Slang (Univ. N. Carolina, Chapel Hill) Spring 5 Kill, to do something extremely well: She killed that song. 2001 Snowboard U.K. Sept. 43 Hamish McKnight was killing it on a Burton Junkyard snowskate, pulling off big indys and even getting close to 360 flips over the first box in the boardercross. 2011 T. Rayburn Pulse (2012) xiv. Matt said you totally killed the interview. 2012 P. Coughter Art of Pitch ii. 48 You have to go out there and kill it, make them love us right now, and inspire the team. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online June 2022). > see also also refers to : kill-comb. form < n.¹?c1225n.²1669n.³1827n.⁴1630v.?c1225 see also
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killn.1

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killv.

Draft additions June 2015

> see also

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