As‐sas″sin‐ate (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Assassinated (�); p. pr. & vb. n.Assassinating (�).] [LL. assassinatus, p. p. of assassinare.] 1. To kill by surprise or secret assault; to murder by treacherous violence.
Help, neighbors, my house is broken open by force, and I am ravished, and like to be assassinated.
Dryden.
2. To assail with murderous intent; hence, by extended meaning, to maltreat exceedingly.
Your rhymes assassinate our fame.
Dryden.
Such usage as your honorable lords
Afford me, assassinated and betrayed.
Milton.
Syn. — To kill; murder; slay. See Kill.