Archmurderer

/ˌɑːrkˈmɝːdərər/ noun

Definition

The greatest, most notorious, or most prolific murderer; a killer of supreme or extreme infamy.

Etymology

From 'arch-' (supreme, chief) + 'murderer' (one who commits murder). 'Murderer' comes from Old English 'morther,' possibly from Proto-Germanic meaning 'to deprive of life.'

Kelly Says

History's archmurderers weren't always obvious—Stalin and Mao killed millions through policy rather than individual acts, making them arguably worse than serial killers. The word shows how 'arch-' applies to the most extreme versions of everything, good or evil.

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