fratricide
The English phrase kinslayer is translated into French as fratricide.
fratricide refers to a person who kills their own brother or a close relative.
Did you know?
- The suffix -cide in fratricide is used across many French words for killing, creating a pattern that allows speakers to guess the meaning of rare terms like uxoricide for killing one's wife.
- Because it derives from Latin, fratricide shares the same root as the English 'fraternity', despite one meaning a killer and the other meaning a brotherhood.
- The word fratricide is a 'mot savant', meaning it is a learned word used in legal or literary contexts rather than in everyday street French.
Examples in context
- Ce crime est un acte de fratricide.This crime is an act of fratricide.
- L'histoire raconte le récit d'un fratricide.History tells the story of a kinslayer.
- Il a été condamné pour fratricide.He was convicted of fratricide.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a classic tragedy in a library.
- ManonEst-ce que le personnage est un fratricide ?Is the character a kinslayer?
- GabrielOui, il a tué son propre frère.Yes, he killed his own brother.
- ManonC'est un acte de fratricide terrible.It is a terrible act of fratricide.
- GabrielL'histoire est vraiment tragique, Manon.The story is truly tragic, Manon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fratricide, CC BY-SA 4.0.
