killern.
/ˈkɪlə/, U.S. /ˈkɪlər/ 1.
a. One who or that which kills; a slayer, butcher.
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the world > life > death > killing > killer > [noun]
baneOE
quelmerOE
quellerOE
murderer1340
slaughtermana1350
slayerc1380
killer1535
dispatcher1549
executioner1597
slaughterer?1611
widowmakera1616
mactator1656
zapper1969
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Tobit iii. 9 Thou kyller of thy huszbandes.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Kyller of mise and rattes, myoph[o]nos.
1696 Statutes (Scottish) c. 33 (title) Act against killers of black fish, and destroyers of the fry and smolts of salmon.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero I. vi. 538 One Licinius, a killer of the victims for sacrifice.
1829 T. Carlyle Voltaire in Crit. & Misc. Ess. (1872) II. 131 He has his coat of darkness,..like that other Killer of Giants.
1872 O. W. Holmes Poet at Breakfast-table ix. 288 She is a killer and a cannibal among other insects.
b. figurative in various senses.
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a1555 L. Saunders Let. in J. Foxe Actes & Monuments (1563) 1047/1 Christ the killer of death.
1819 F. MacDonogh Hermit in London II. 170 She is the most desperate killer of time I ever met with.
1838 M. Howitt Birds & Flowers 80 What a killer of care, old tree, wert thou!
c. In many combinations, as dragon-, giant-, lady-, lion-, pain-killer, etc.: see these words.
2.
a. A name of the grampus, Orcinus orca, and other ferocious cetaceans of kindred genera. In full, killer whale. Also figurative.
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the world > animals > mammals > order Cetacea (whales) > suborder Odontoceti > [noun] > family Delphinidae > genus Orcinus (killer whale)
grampusa1529
orcc1590
herring-hoga1641
orca1653
springer1700
thrasher1709
killer whale1726
grampus-whale1744
thresher1787
sword-whale1860
1726 P. Dudley in Philos. Trans. 1725 (Royal Soc.) 33 265 These Killers are from twenty to thirty Feet long, and have Teeth in both Jaws... They..set upon a young Whale, and will bait him like so many Bull-dogs.
1884 G. B. Goode in G. B. Goode et al. Fisheries U.S.: Sect. I 17 The Killer Whales are known the world over by their destructive and savage habits.
1898 F. T. Bullen Cruise ‘Cachalot’ xvi. 195 A large bowhead rose near the ship... Three ‘Killers’ were attacking him at once, like wolves worrying a bull... The ‘Killer’ or Orca gladiator, is a true whale, but, like the cachalot, has teeth.
1921 E. R. G. R. Evans South with Scott v We saw Sibbald's whale, Rorquals, and many killer whales.
1931 W. G. Carr By Guess & by God 89 The British had been developing the mechanical killer-whales since 1904, when, unescorted, a flotilla of A-boats engaged in fleet manœuvres.
1937 J. R. Norman & F. C. Fraser Giant Fishes, Whales & Dolphins xiii. 290 The colour of the Killer is well marked and is distinctive for the species. The back is black and the belly white.
1937 J. R. Norman & F. C. Fraser Giant Fishes, Whales & Dolphins xiii. 291 A feature unusual in cetaceans is the great discrepancy in size between the male and female Killer Whale.
1973 R. Burton Life & Death Whales i. 23 Killer whales live in small groups and feed mainly on fish but they also kill seals and other whales.
b. A locust-killing wasp. U.S.
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the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > order Hymenoptera > [noun] > suborder Apocrita, Petiolata, or Heterophaga > group Aculeata (stinging) > the wasps > miscellaneous types
pasteboard wasp1864
killer1868
policeman fly1905
median wasp1990
media wasp1993
1868 Amer. Naturalist 2 217 The ‘killer’ had seized one of our August locusts, and was endeavouring to rise from the ground with it.
3. An effective angler's bait.
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the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > means of attracting fish > [noun] > bait > other baits
killer1681
dough ball1879
Exeter-elm1882
tuna bait1901
bread flake1956
tare1971
pop-up1987
1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum xxxv. 142 An admirable Fly, and in great repute for a killer.
1787 T. Best Conc. Treat. Angling (ed. 2) 109 There are likewise two Moths..great killers about twilight in a serene evening.
1867 F. Francis Bk. Angling v. 130 If he cannot find a killer among them his hopes of sport are very small.
4.
a. A club of hard wood for killing fish with.
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the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > other fishing equipment > [noun] > mallet or stick to kill fish
priest1851
gob stick1883
nobby1887
nobbler1888
killer1890
muckle1897
1890 in Cent. Dict.
b. A contrivance for killing a large ferocious animal (e.g. a wolf, a shark); also, an explosive implement for the painless killing of cattle, horses, etc. Cf. humane adj. 1b.
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the world > life > death > killing > killing of animals > [noun] > means of
pithing1806
killer1892
the world > food and drink > hunting > equipment > trap or snare > [noun] > other devices
wile1677
bolas1843
throwing balls1882
killer1892
1892 9th Ann. Rep. Bureau Amer. Ethnol. 1887–8 259 (heading) Whalebone wolf-killers.
1901 Amer. Anthropologist 3 391 Eskimo and Samoan ‘Killers’.
1901 Morning Leader 18 Dec. 3/7 The deadly instrument known as ‘Greener's Killer’,..for the painless destruction of old and incapacitated horses, is the invention of the well-known gun manufacturer, Mr. W. W. Greener... The ‘killer’ consists of a noiseless explosive apparatus resembling a short rifled barrel, which contains a small cartridge with steel-pointed bullet.
1919 T. Hardy Let. 7 Nov. in One Rare Fair Woman (1972) 187 I am a strange member of the Wessex Pig Society. I accepted the nomination entirely in the hope of helping to popularize the ‘killer’.
1968 A. Wilson Pract. Meat Inspection i. 1 Cattle are usually stunned by a captive-bolt pistol (Humane Killer). The types usually employed are..3. Schermer mechanical killer.
5. An agent used to neutralize the active property of anything, e.g. to neutralize a colour, to remove spots or stains, prevent pitch-stains on pine-boards, or the like.
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the world > matter > chemistry > chemical reactions or processes > [noun] > reactivity > agent which neutralizes active property
killer1893
1893 I. K. Funk et al. Standard Dict. Eng. Lang. I
6. A cow, sheep, etc., that is killed or destined to be killed for food. Usually plural. colloquial (chiefly Australian and New Zealand).
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the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > calf > [noun] > for slaughter
veal1422
veal calf?1556
staggering bob1780
stocker1881
killer1897
vealer1901
bobby calf1927
1897 I. Scott How I stole over 10,000 Sheep 9 ‘You know the killers, don't you?’..i.e. the sheep the boss used for his own mutton at the house.
1907 W. H. Koebel Return of Joe 294 We were to be treated to a portion of a valuable stud ram for supper in place of the ordinary ‘killer’.
1931 V. Palmer Separate Lives 124 He had put it [sc. the bullock] among the herd of killers in the home paddock in the hope that the new overseer might use it for beef in mistake.
1937 Amer. Speech 12 104 As killing cattle or killers (cattle ready for killing) they are inferior to corn-fed stock.
1952 Coast to Coast 1951–2 210 One afternoon they had brought in some killers to the yards, and Murray went over to the kitchen for the bucket and the knives.
1972 P. Newton Sheep Thief iii. 27 The yarding of the killers..was regarded as a tryout for new dogs—with the stench of blood sheep are loth to approach the yard.
7.
a. An impressive, formidable, or excellent person or thing; one who ‘kills’ people (see kill v. 6a). Cf. ladykiller n. at lady n. Compounds 2e. slang (originally U.S.).
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the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [noun] > excellent person or thing
carbunclea1350
swanc1386
phoenixc1400
diamondc1440
broocha1464
surmounterc1500
sovereign?a1513
primrose peerless1523
superlative1577
transcendent1593
Arabian birda1616
crack1637
first rate1681
peach1710
phoenicle1711
admiration1717
spanker1751
first-raterc1760
no slouch of1767
nailer1806
tip-topper1822
ripper1825
ripstaver1828
apotheosis1832
clinker1836
clipper1836
bird1839
keener1839
ripsnorter1840
beater1845
firecracker1845
pumpkin1845
screamer1846
stunner1847
bottler1855
beaut1866
bobby-dazzler1866
one out of the box1867
stem-winder1875
corker1877
trimmer1878
hot stuff1884
daisy1886
jim-dandy1887
cracker1891
jim-hickey1895
peacherino1896
pippin1897
alpha plus1898
peacherine1900
pip1900
humdinger1905
bosker1906
hummer1907
good egg1914
superstar1914
the berries1918
bee's knee1923
the cat's whiskers1923
smash1923
smash hit1923
brahma1925
dilly1935
piss-cutter1935
killer1937
killer-diller1938
a hard act to follow1942
peacheroo1942
bitch1946
brammerc1950
hot shit1960
Tiffany1973
bollocks1981
1900 Dial. Notes 2 44 Killer. 1. One who does things easily. 2. One who recites perfectly.]
1937 Metronome Apr. 55 That Zutie drummer-man is really a killer!
1940 Swing Jan. 26 Farewell Blues is another of those very fast killers.
1940 Swing May 10/3 I'm a killer with my new shepherd plaid suit.
1968 Blues Unlimited Sept. 6 ‘They were going to put out some records, and Luther went to see about it’ said Percy, ‘his “Dust my broom” was sure a killer.’
1970 Melody Maker 19 Sept. 28/6 George Khan has a solo on the up-tempo passage of the same track which is an absolute killer.
b. attributive or as adj. Very effective; excellent, ‘sensational’ (frequently applied to popular music). Cf. killer-diller n. slang.
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the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective]
faireOE
bremea1000
goodlyOE
goodfulc1275
noblec1300
pricec1300
specialc1325
gentlec1330
fine?c1335
singulara1340
thrivena1350
thriven and throa1350
gaya1375
properc1380
before-passinga1382
daintiful1393
principala1398
gradelya1400
burlyc1400
daintyc1400
thrivingc1400
voundec1400
virtuousc1425
hathelc1440
curiousc1475
singlerc1500
beautiful1502
rare?a1534
gallant1539
eximious1547
jolly1548
egregious?c1550
jellyc1560
goodlike1562
brawc1565
of worth1576
brave?1577
surprising1580
finger-licking1584
admirablea1586
excellinga1586
ambrosial1598
sublimated1603
excellent1604
valiant1604
fabulous1609
pure1609
starryc1610
topgallant1613
lovely1614
soaringa1616
twanging1616
preclarent1623
primea1637
prestantious1638
splendid1644
sterling1647
licking1648
spankinga1666
rattling1690
tearing1693
famous1695
capital1713
yrare1737
pure and —1742
daisy1757
immense1762
elegant1764
super-extra1774
trimming1778
grand1781
gallows1789
budgeree1793
crack1793
dandy1794
first rate1799
smick-smack1802
severe1805
neat1806
swell1810
stamming1814
divine1818
great1818
slap-up1823
slapping1825
high-grade1826
supernacular1828
heavenly1831
jam-up1832
slick1833
rip-roaring1834
boss1836
lummy1838
flash1840
slap1840
tall1840
high-graded1841
awful1843
way up1843
exalting1844
hot1845
ripsnorting1846
clipping1848
stupendous1848
stunning1849
raving1850
shrewd1851
jammy1853
slashing1854
rip-staving1856
ripping1858
screaming1859
up to dick1863
nifty1865
premier cru1866
slap-bang1866
clinking1868
marvellous1868
rorty1868
terrific1871
spiffing1872
all wool and a yard wide1882
gorgeous1883
nailing1883
stellar1883
gaudy1884
fizzing1885
réussi1885
ding-dong1887
jim-dandy1888
extra-special1889
yum-yum1890
out of sight1891
outasight1893
smooth1893
corking1895
large1895
super1895
hot dog1896
to die for1898
yummy1899
deevy1900
peachy1900
hi1901
v.g.1901
v.h.c.1901
divvy1903
doozy1903
game ball1905
goodo1905
bosker1906
crackerjack1910
smashinga1911
jake1914
keen1914
posh1914
bobby-dazzling1915
juicy1916
pie on1916
jakeloo1919
snodger1919
whizz-bang1920
wicked1920
four-star1921
wow1921
Rolls-Royce1922
whizz-bang1922
wizard1922
barry1923
nummy1923
ripe1923
shrieking1926
crazy1927
righteous1930
marvy1932
cool1933
plenty1933
brahmaa1935
smoking1934
solid1935
mellow1936
groovy1937
tough1937
bottler1938
fantastic1938
readyc1938
ridge1938
super-duper1938
extraordinaire1940
rumpty1940
sharp1940
dodger1941
grouse1941
perfecto1941
pipperoo1945
real gone1946
bosting1947
supersonic1947
whizzo1948
neato1951
peachy-keen1951
ridgey-dite1953
ridgy-didge1953
top1953
whizzing1953
badass1955
wild1955
belting1956
magic1956
bitching1957
swinging1958
ridiculous1959
a treat1959
fab1961
bad-assed1962
uptight1962
diggish1963
cracker1964
marv1964
radical1964
bakgat1965
unreal1965
pearly1966
together1968
safe1970
bad1971
brilliant1971
fabby1971
schmick1972
butt-kicking1973
ripper1973
Tiffany1973
bodacious1976
rad1976
kif1978
awesome1979
death1979
killer1979
fly1980
shiok1980
stonking1980
brill1981
dope1981
to die1982
mint1982
epic1983
kicking1983
fabbo1984
mega1985
ill1986
posho1989
pukka1991
lovely jubbly1992
awesomesauce2001
nang2002
bess2006
amazeballs2009
boasty2009
daebak2009
beaut2013
1979 Melody Maker 12 May 26/2 That the band were going to deliver a killer set was evident.
1983 Washington Post 11 Nov. 37 It can be most easily compared with what Quincy Jones does when he isn't producing another killer album for someone else.
1986 City Limits 9 Oct. 17 Sometimes James Brown's albums stank, but there was always one killer track.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
killer instinct n.
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society > leisure > sport > player or sportsperson > [noun] > qualities of sportsperson
sportsmanship1749
sportsmanliness1778
muckerism1900
needle1923
shamateurism1928
killer instinct1931
playmaking1936
gamesmanship1939
1931 Visct. Knebworth Boxing 78 He [sc. Dempsey] had more fighting spirit and more of the sheer killer instinct in him than was in all four of them rolled together.
1960 J. Fingleton Four Chukkas to Austral. vi. 64 Unless Peter May can instil into his men the killer-instinct they so plainly lack, the next two Tests..will be lost.
1973 Times 20 Feb. 12/2 Already he has given Oxford a lift with his drive, enthusiasm, attack and killer instinct.
C2.
killer submarine n. (see quot. 1955).
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society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > war vessel > [noun] > submarine
submarine1889
Holland1899
sub1915
pigboat1921
fish1925
guppy1948
killer submarine1955
snorter1962
nuclear1969
1955 M. Reifer Dict. New Words 116/2 Killer submarine, a small submarine designed for hunting down and sinking enemy submarines.
1960 Economist 31 Dec. 1378/2 The other kind of vessel that the Navy wants to build in larger numbers is the ‘killer’ submarine driven by atomic power and equipped with vastly improved sonar devices to seek out and destroy enemy submarines under water.
killer whale n. (see 2a above).
Draft additions May 2001
killer app n. (also Killer App) Computing colloquial = killer application n. at Additions.
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1988 PC Week (N.Y.) 24 May 39/1 Until we see those first two or three killer apps..few corporate customers will see much reason to begin to commit to OS/2.
1991 New Scientist 21 Sept. 35/2 The multimedia industry is still looking for what it calls a ‘Killer App’, a feature or application that will persuade us that we can't live without a unit.
1998 E. Davis TechGnosis vii. 203 In many ways, games are to digital technology what porno videos were to the VCR: the ‘killer app’ (or application) that, by stimulating gargantuan desires, creates a mass consumer market for a new media technology.
Draft additions May 2001
killer application n. Computing an application which is particularly significant or useful; a feature, function, or application of a new technology or product which is presented as virtually indispensable or much superior to rival products; also in extended use.
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1987 PC Week 8 Sept. 107/2 Everybody has only one killer application. The secretary has a word processor. The manager has a spreadsheet.
1991 UnixWorld Dec. 30/3 The killer applications cost twice as much in unix versions for no reason other than greed.
1995 Guardian 26 May i. 21/4 The British public has given a thumbs-down to the notion that entertainment will provide a ‘killer application’, such as video-on-demand.
2000 Wall St. Jrnl. 18 Sept. a2/1 Power-plant builder Calpine Corp. thought it had the ‘killer application’ that Silicon Valley needed: a big, new power plant. After all, California is desperately short of electricity on hot days.
Draft additions June 2003
killer fact n. colloquial (chiefly British) an irrefutable and decisive piece of evidence or information, esp. one on which an argument, policy, news story, etc., can convincingly be founded.
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1994 Financial Times 21 Nov. 10/1 ‘Killer facts’ are what the Conservative party needs if it is to win the next general election, according to a strategy paper produced by Mr John Maples, the party's deputy chairman and a former Treasury minister.
2002 Daily Tel. 2 Sept. 18/5 Making a successful political cause for an attack on Iraq requires..at least one killer fact. Saddam has to be shown either to have done something or to be intending something awful.
Draft additions March 2016
killer litter n. Singapore English objects thrown or falling from high-rise buildings, endangering people below.
ΚΠ
1984 Straits Times (Singapore) 5 Apr. 1/2 Join our drive against ‘killer litter’.
1997 Wall St. Jrnl. 3 Feb. b1/1 The string of high-rise defenestrations in Singapore comes despite a special killer-litter law that threatens high-rise trash tossers with imprisonment for as long as three months.
2011 S. Tsang & A. Perera Singapore at Random 27 As most Singaporeans live in HDB flats, it is important that residents play a part in an effort to eradicate killer litter.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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