c. 1600, noun of action from assassinate (v.).

murder of someone of political importance.

character assassination: an attack intended to ruin someone's reputation murder of a public figure by surprise attack (assassin) a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political [..]

n. Murderer, as by secret assault or treachery.

Assassination is the murder of a monarch, political leader or other significant figure. Assassinations are usually designed to stimulate or trigger political change.

Terrorist groups may engage in assassination, but assassination is not terrorism. Assassination has a specific target, though other people may be killed or injured. Terrorists target a group of people, but generally choose specific victims randomly. If the Sept. 11 attack had succeeded in killing President Bush, it would have involved assassination [..]

Surprise murder of a person. The term is typically used when individuals in the public eye, such as political leaders, are murdered.

Assassination is a killing of a prominent person for political or ideological reasons. Assassination dates back to the earliest forms of government, with the killing of Philip II of Macedon, the fathe [..]

(n) an attack intended to ruin someone's reputation(n) murder of a public figure by surprise attack

The murder of a person, especially for political reasons or for personal gain. ''The assassination of the king occurred at night.''