murder
Transitive Verb[C/U] Both
pl: murderspast: murderedpp: murdereding: murderingcomp: more murderoussup: most murderous
The word carries a heavy weight of intentionality and malice. In a legal sense, it is distinguished from manslaughter by the presence of premeditation, creating a feeling of cold calculation and irreversible tragedy. In a colloquial or slang context, the word shifts toward hyperbole. When someone murders a song or a joke, the term describes a catastrophic failure so complete that it feels like a metaphorical death of the art form, often used for comedic effect.
Countable when referring to a specific crime or a group of birds (three murders). Uncountable when referring to the general concept of killing as a legal or moral category.