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muricide (n.)

1650s, a term of abuse, apparently literally "mouse-killer," from Latin muricidus "a coward, poltroon," from murinus "of a mouse" (from mus "mouse;" see mouse (n.)) + -cidere, combining form of caedere "to strike down (see -cide). Blount (1650s) suggests the notion is "a Coward or sloathful fellow, fitter to kill Mice then men."

also from 1650s

updated on July 03, 2023

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