KILL
\kˈɪl], \kˈɪl], \k_ˈɪ_l]\
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kil, v.t. to put to death, to slay: to nullify or neutralise, to weaken or dilute, to render inactive: to reject, discard: to fascinate, overcome.--n. the act of killing, as game.--ns. KILL'-COURT'ESY (Shak.), a discourteous, boorish person; KILL'-CROP, a changeling; KILL'ER, one who kills, a slaughterer or butcher: a club for killing fish: a ferocious delphinid which sometimes attacks the whale.--p.adj. KILL'ING, depriving of life: destructive: deadly, irresistible: completely fascinating.--n. and adj. KILL'JOY, a mar-sport, austere.--KILL BY INCHES, by gradual means, as by torture; KILL OFF, to exterminate; KILL TIME, to consume spare time, as with amusements, &c.; KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE, to effect one thing by the way, or by the same means with which another thing is done; KILL UP (Shak.), to exterminate.--KILLING TIMES, the days of the persecution of the Covenanters.--DO A THING TO KILL, in an irresistible manner. [M. E. killen or cullen--Ice. kolla, to hit on the head--kollr, the head; not a doublet of quell.]
By Thomas Davidson
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Put to death, slay; (of disease, grief, shock, drink, poison, &c.) cause the death of; k. off, get rid of (number of persons &c.) by killing; (abs., esp. Sport.) perform act of killing, do execution; (intr., quasi-pass.) yield good or much meat when killed, as pigs do not k. well at that age; represent in fiction &c. as dead, as k. your villain in the last chapter; destroy vitality of (plant, disease, &c.); destroy, put an end to, (feelings &c.); neutralize (colour &c.) by contrast; consume (time) for the sake of doing so; overwhelm (person) with admiration, amusement, &c., whence killing a., killingly adv.; (Lawn Tennis) strike (ball) so that it cannot be returned; (Footb.) stop (ball) dead; totally defeat (bill in Parliament); k. (fatally harm) with (mistaken) kindness; k.- devil, artificial bait made to spin in water; k.- joy, one who throws gloom over social enjoyment; k.-time n. & a., (occupation) intended to k. time.
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Act of killing; animal killed, esp. by sportsman.
By Sir Augustus Henry
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