Select the word which means the same as the group of words given. The killing of a husband by his wife.
Mariticide
Understanding Different Types of Killing (-cide Words)
The question asks for a specific term describing the killing of a husband by his wife. Many words in English ending with the suffix '-cide' refer to the act of killing someone, often a specific person or type of person related to the killer.
Let's examine the meaning of each option provided:
- Regicide: This term refers to the killing of a king. The prefix 'regi-' comes from the Latin word 'rex', meaning king. So, Regicide is the killing of a sovereign.
- Uxoricide: This term refers to the killing of one's wife. The prefix 'uxori-' comes from the Latin word 'uxor', meaning wife. Uxoricide is specifically a husband killing his wife.
- Matricide: This term refers to the killing of one's mother. The prefix 'matri-' comes from the Latin word 'mater', meaning mother. Matricide is the killing of one's own mother.
- Mariticide: This term refers to the killing of one's husband. The prefix 'mariti-' comes from the Latin word 'maritus', meaning husband. Mariticide is specifically a wife killing her husband.
Comparing the definitions with the question "The killing of a husband by his wife", we can see which term precisely matches this description.
Mariticide directly describes the act where a wife is the killer and her husband is the victim.
Summary of Homicide Terms
To help distinguish between these terms, here is a brief summary:
| Term | Meaning | Victim | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regicide | Killing of a sovereign | King or Queen | Ruler |
| Uxoricide | Killing of one's wife | Wife | Spouse (Victim is Wife) |
| Matricide | Killing of one's mother | Mother | Parent (Victim is Mother) |
| Mariticide | Killing of one's husband | Husband | Spouse (Victim is Husband) |
Based on the definitions, the word that means the killing of a husband by his wife is Mariticide.
Revision Table: Common "-cide" Words
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Homicide | Killing of a human being by another human being |
| Genocide | Killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation |
| Suicide | Act of intentionally causing one's own death |
| Femicide | Killing of a woman or girl |
| Infanticide | Killing of an infant |
| Filicide | Killing of one's son or daughter |
| Parricide | Killing of a parent or other near relative (often includes matricide and fratricide/sororicide) |
| Fratricide | Killing of one's brother or sister |
| Sororicide | Killing of one's sister |
| Patricide | Killing of one's father |
Additional Information on Homicide Terms
Understanding the roots of these words can help remember their meanings. Many come from Latin. For example:
- 'Mater' (mother) → Matricide
- 'Pater' (father) → Patricide
- 'Frater' (brother) → Fratricide
- 'Soror' (sister) → Sororicide
- 'Filius' (son) / 'Filia' (daughter) → Filicide
- 'Uxor' (wife) → Uxoricide
- 'Maritus' (husband) → Mariticide
- 'Rex' (king) / 'Regina' (queen) → Regicide
While homicide is the general term for one human killing another, these specific '-cide' terms denote the victim's relationship to the killer, providing more precise descriptions of the act.
Important Questions from One Word Substitution
For the expression which has been underlined in each of the following sentences, choose the response (a), (b), (c) or (d) which most nearly expresses its meaning.
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