Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of killing one's own brother or sister: This is the primary and most specific meaning, referring to the crime of murdering a sibling.
   • A person who kills their own brother or sister: This meaning refers to the individual who commits such an act.
   • The accidental killing of one's own forces in a military context: In military terminology, it refers to an attack that causes injury or death to members of one's own or allied forces.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Act):
  • The ancient myth is filled with tales of fratricide.
  • He was convicted of fratricide.
• Noun (Person):
  • The king was a fratricide who seized the throne.
• Noun (Military):
  • The tragedy was classified as a case of fratricide, not enemy fire.

Advanced Usage

• Legal and Historical Context: The term is often used in historical, mythological, and legal discussions to describe a specific, grave familial crime.
• Figurative Use: It can be used metaphorically to describe a destructive conflict between entities that are very close or should be allied.
  • The political party was torn apart by an ideological fratricide.

Variants and Related Words

• Fratricidal (adjective): Pertaining to or characteristic of fratricide.
  • The war took on a fratricidal nature.

Synonyms

• Sibling murder: (for the act).
• Kinslayer: (a more general, archaic term for someone who kills a relative).

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "Friendly fire": This is a common modern military synonym for the accidental killing meaning of fratricide.

Noun

1. the murder of your sibling
2. fire that injures or kills an ally
3. a person who murders their brother or sister