online medical dictionary | definition of homicide

1. The killing of one human being by another.

Homicide is of three kinds: justifiable, as when the killing is performed in the exercise of a right or performance of a duty; excusable, as when done, although not as duty or right, yet without culpable or criminal intent; and felonious, or involving what the law terms malice; the latter may be either manslaughter or murder.

2. One who kills another; a manslayer.

Origin: F, fr. L. Homicidium, fr. Homicida a man slayer; homo man + caedere to cut, kill. See Homage, and cf. Concise, Shed.

(01 Mar 1998)