δολοφονώ
Lemma: δολοφονώ
Translation: to murder; to assassinate; to kill (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek δολοφονέω (dolophonéō), composed of δόλος (dólos, 'deceit, treachery') and φόνος (phónos, 'murder, slaughter'). The word literally means 'to kill by treachery or deceit'. The root φόνος is related to English words like 'phonocide' (destruction of sound) and shares the Indo-European root *gʷʰen- meaning 'to strike, kill', which appears in English 'bane' and 'gun'.
Example Usage
Mnemonics
- Think of 'dolo' as in 'dolor' (pain) and 'phono' as in 'phonics' (sound) – a painful sound of death.
- Remember 'dolo' sounds like 'dole' (to distribute) and 'phono' like 'phone' – to distribute death by calculated means.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
The verb is used in news reports, legal contexts, and crime fiction. It specifically implies intentional killing with premeditation, distinguishing it from accidental killing or manslaughter, which would use different terms in Greek.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'σκοτώνω' is a more general term for killing (can be accidental or intentional), 'δολοφονώ' specifically implies premeditated murder or assassination with intent.
Confused word:
Σκότωσε κατά λάθος τον φίλο του στο κυνήγι.
He accidentally killed his friend while hunting.
Notes: 'Δολοφονώ' is used in legal contexts for murder charges, while 'σκοτώνω' can describe any form of killing, including accidents.
Mnemonic: 'Δολοφονώ' contains 'δόλος' (deceit) - killing with deceit/planning; 'σκοτώνω' relates to 'σκοτάδι' (darkness) - sending someone to darkness (death) in general.
Explanation: 'Εκτελώ' means to execute (as in capital punishment or carrying out an order), while 'δολοφονώ' refers to unlawful killing or assassination.
Confused word:
Το κράτος εκτέλεσε τον καταδικασμένο εγκληματία.
The state executed the convicted criminal.
Notes: 'Εκτελώ' has broader meanings beyond killing, including performing tasks or carrying out orders.
Mnemonic: 'Δολοφονώ' is unlawful killing; 'εκτελώ' is carrying out (executing) something, which can include a legal death sentence.