Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Guilty of murder or bloodshed: Describes a person or entity that is responsible for, or bears the guilt of, causing death, typically through violent means.

Usage

• The term "bloodguilty" is a formal and somewhat archaic adjective. It is used to attribute moral and legal culpability for killing. It often carries a strong connotation of sin or profound moral transgression, beyond just legal guilt.
• It is typically used in attributive position (before a noun) or as a predicate adjective.

Examples

• Attributive (before a noun):
  • The jury declared the bloodguilty tyrant responsible for the massacre.
  • They sought justice for the bloodguilty act.
• Predicative (after a linking verb):
  • The evidence proved the warlord was bloodguilty.
  • According to ancient law, the clan was considered bloodguilty for the feud.

Advanced Usage

• Theological/Historical Context: The term is frequently found in religious, historical, or literary texts discussing vengeance, justice, or ritual purity.
  • The concept of being bloodguilty is central to the ancient code of retribution.
• Figurative Use: While primarily literal, it can be used metaphorically to describe profound responsibility for ruin or destruction.
  • Critics argued the negligent corporation was bloodguilty for the environmental disaster.

Variants and Related Words

• Bloodguilt (noun): The state or condition of being guilty of bloodshed.
  • He could not escape the bloodguilt for his actions.
• Bloodguiltiness (noun): A synonym for "bloodguilt," emphasizing the quality or state.
  • The prophecy spoke of a land stained by bloodguiltiness.

Synonyms

• Homicidal: Having a tendency to commit homicide.
• Murderous: Capable of or guilty of murder.
• Bloodstained: Literally stained with blood, often used figuratively to imply guilt.

Antonyms

• Innocent: Not guilty of a crime or offense.
• Blameless: Free from blame or guilt.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To have blood on one's hands: To be responsible for someone's death or deaths (a more common modern idiom with a similar meaning).
  • The corrupt official had blood on his hands from the failed policies.

Adjective

1. guilty of murder or bloodshed