murder

{{11}}murder (n.) c.1300, murdre, from O.E. morðor (pl. morþras) "secret killing of a person, unlawful killing," also "mortal sin, crime; punishment, torment, misery," from P.Gmc. *murthra- (Cf. Goth maurþr, and, from a variant form of the same root, O.S. morth, O.Fris. morth, O.N. morð, M.Du. moort, Du. moord, Ger. Mord "murder"), from PIE *mrtro-, from root *mer- "to die" (see MORTAL (Cf. mortal) (adj.)). The spelling with -d- probably reflects influence of Anglo-French murdre, from O.Fr. mordre, from M.L. murdrum, from the Germanic root.

Viking custom, typical of Germanic, distinguished morð (O.N.) "secret slaughter," from vig (O.N.) "slaying." The former involved concealment, or slaying a man by night or when asleep, and was a heinous crime. The latter was not a disgrace, if the killer acknowledged his deed, but he was subject to vengeance or demand for compensation.

Mordre wol out that se we day by day. [Chaucer, "Nun's Priest's Tale," c.1386]

Weakened sense of "very unpleasant situation" is from 1878.

{{12}}murder (v.) O.E. myrðrian, from P.Gmc. *murthjan (Cf. O.H.G. murdran, Ger. mördren, Goth. maurþjan; see MURDER (Cf. murder) (n.)). Related: Murdered; murdering.