As*sas"sin*ate (?), n. [F.
assassinat.] 1. An assassination, murder, or
murderous assault. [Obs.]
If I had made an assassinate upon your father.
B. Jonson.
2. An assassin. [Obs.] Dryden.
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. [Archaic]
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.