- kill
- I
[[t]kɪl[/t]]v. t.1) to deprive of life; cause the death of; slay2) to destroy; do away with; extinguish3) to neutralize the active qualities of:to kill an odor[/ex]4) to spoil the effect of:His extra brushwork killed the painting[/ex]5) to cause (time) to pass with a minimum of boredom6) to spend (time) unprofitably7) inf Informal. to overcome completely or with irresistible effect:That comedian kills me[/ex]8) inf Informal. to cause distress or discomfort to9) inf Informal. to tire completely; exhaust10) inf Informal. to consume completely:They killed a bottle of bourbon[/ex]11) to cancel publication of (a word, item, etc.), esp. after it has been set in type12) gov to defeat or veto (a legislative bill, etc.)13) to turn off; switch off:to kill the lights; to kill an engine[/ex]14) spo to hit (a tennis ball, volleyball, etc.) with such force that its return is impossible15) to inflict or cause death16) to commit murder17) to be killed18) to overcome completely; produce an irresistible effect:dressed to kill[/ex]19) inf Informal. to feel a smarting pain, as from a minor accident; sting20) phv kill offphv to destroy completely21) the act of killing, esp. game22) an animal or animals killed23) cvb an act or instance of destroying a target, esp. an enemy aircraft•Etymology: 1175–1225; ME cullen, killen, OE *cyllan; akin to Fris küllen to vex, strike, OHG chollen to vex, kill; cf. quell kill′a•ble, adj. IIkill[[t]kɪl[/t]] n. Chiefly New York State.dial. a channel; creek; stream; river: used esp. in place names•Etymology: 1660–70; < D kil, MD kille channel
From formal English to slang. 2014.