Christ-killer en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- audio
- /ˈkraɪs(t)ˌkɪlə(r)/
Etymology
From Christ + killer. First use appears c. 1532 in the publications of Saint Thomas More. The first sense derives from the belief that Jews were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as told in the Bible.
Meanings
-
(ethnic, offensive, slur) A Jew.
Sometimes, when a Jew chanced to visit it some of its boys would descend upon him with shouts of "Damned Jew!" "Christ-killer!" and sick their dogs at him.
1917, Abraham Cahan, The Rise of David Levinsky, A Novel, page 9:
- (dated, obsolete, offensive) One who is considered to have spoken or acted against the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christkiller | alternative | lexicographic | |
| Christ killer | alternative | lexicographic | |
| Christ-killers | Number=Plur | lexicographic |