assassin
noun
[ əˈsasɪn ]
• a person who murders an important person for political or religious reasons.
Similar:
murderer,
killer,
executioner,
gunman,
butcher,
slaughterer,
liquidator,
exterminator,
terminator,
hitman,
contract man,
hired gun,
button man,
slayer,
homicide,
• a member of the Nizari branch of Ismaili Muslims at the time of the Crusades, when the newly established sect ruled part of northern Persia (1094–1256). They were renowned as militant fanatics, and were popularly reputed to use hashish before going on murder missions.
Origin:
mid 16th century: from French, or from medieval Latin assassinus, from Arabic ḥašīšī ‘hashish-eater’.
