[a. F. fratricide, ad. L. frātricīd-ium, f. frāter brother + -cīdĕre: see -CIDE 2.] The action of killing one’s brother. (In Law also the killing of one’s sister.)
1568. Grafton, Chron., 3. For the which fratricide or brother murthering, he [Cain] was by the sentence of Almighty God publyshed for a vagabond and a roonagate.
1687. Boyle, Martyrd. Theodora, ii. (1703), 25. If Fratricide be justly listed amongst the blackest Crimes, because of that Relation the slaughter’d persons have to those that Kill them; how Criminal upon that score must be the Murder of our selves.
1703. Maundrell, Journ. Jerus. (1721), 134. The Fratricide also is said by some to have been committed in this place.
1850. Merivale, Rom. Emp. (1865), II. xxi. 425. The stain of fratricide could never be entirely wiped away, and the conscience of the city was for ever haunted by the recollection of its original guilt.
