Definition

A woman who kills someone intentionally and unlawfully.

Example

The murderess was sentenced to life in prison for her crime.

Conversation

Did you hear about that new crime documentary on Netflix?

Yeah, I saw the trailer; it’s about a famous murderess from the 1800s!

I can't believe they made a whole series about her life.

I know! It's fascinating how they portray her as both a villain and a victim.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Murderess → It is formed from "murder" (from Old French *murder*, meaning unlawful killing) and "-ess" (a suffix used to denote a female). The word "murderess" specifically refers to a female who commits murder.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'murder' which means unlawful killing, and the suffix '-ess' indicates a female. So, a murderess is a woman who commits murder.

Visually Confused Words