killer English · revision 5020

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1535|origins=en kill, en -er}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈkɪl.ə/, US /ˈkɪl.ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an agent noun formed [[af|en|kill|-er]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) A surname, Ric[hard] Le Kyller, is recorded from 1288.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who or that which kills: late 15th century in Etymonline, 1535 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Figurative uses are from the 1550s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) As the name of the orca it is from 1725, with ''killer whale'' from 1854.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) An effective angler's bait is from 1681, and a club for killing fish from 1890.^(OED 1989) An animal raised for slaughter is from 1897, chiefly Australian and New Zealand.^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) An impressive or excellent person or thing is by 1900,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the adjective “impressive” is from 1951 in MWU, 1979 in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) ''Killer instinct'' is from 1931, at first in boxing.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1288 – the surname Le Kyller.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1535 – one who kills.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1725 – the orca.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1854 – ''killer whale''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1900 – an impressive person or thing.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1931 – ''killer instinct''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1951 – adjective, impressive.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person, animal or thing that kills, especially a [[murderer]].^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+ # ''(informal)'' Something very hard to deal with.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+ # ''(informal)'' A formidable person or thing.^(COED 2004)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Causing death or destruction: ''killer floods''.^(AHD 2000)^(MWU 2024)

+ # ''(slang)'' Very impressive or effective: ''a killer smile''.^(AHD 2000)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[hunter-killer]]

+ * [[painkiller]]

+ * [[self-killer]]

+ * [[lady-killer]]

+ * [[category killer]]

+ * [[cicada killer]]

+ * [[cow killer]]

+ * [[killer app]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[kill]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}