regicide: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, historical, literary, political
Quick answer
What does “regicide” mean?
The killing of a king.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The killing of a king.
1. The act of killing a king. 2. A person who kills or takes part in killing a king. 3. (By extension) The destruction of a ruling principle or authority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The historical context of the British Civil War and the execution of Charles I makes the term more salient in UK historical discourse.
Connotations
In UK context, strongly associated with the trial and execution of Charles I in 1649. In US context, more abstract or used in comparative political analysis.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to specific national history, but remains a low-frequency, specialized term in both variants.
Grammar
How to Use “regicide” in a Sentence
[Subject] commits regicide[Subject] is accused of regicidethe regicide of [King]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “regicide” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To regicide is not in common use. The verbal concept is 'to commit regicide'.
American English
- As in British English, the verb form is archaic or non-standard.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form.
American English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- The regicide faction pressed for the king's execution.
- He faced regicide charges.
American English
- The regicide conspiracy was uncovered.
- The play explores regicide themes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used metaphorically for the forceful removal of a CEO or founder.
Academic
Common in history, political science, and literature discussing monarchy, revolution, and sovereignty.
Everyday
Very rare. Would only appear in discussions of specific history or high politics.
Technical
Used in legal history and political theory as a specific category of crime (high treason).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “regicide”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “regicide”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “regicide”
- Mispronunciation: /ˈriːdʒ.ɪ.saɪd/ (wrong) vs. /ˈrɛdʒ.ɪ.saɪd/ (correct).
- Confusing the agent and act meanings: 'He was a regicide' (person) vs. 'They planned regicide' (act).
- Using it for the killing of any leader (e.g., president, prime minister) is a metaphorical extension, not the core meaning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is both an agent noun (the regicide was executed) and an action noun (they were tried for regicide).
'Regicide' is the killing of a king, regardless of his character. 'Tyrannicide' is the killing of a tyrant, who may or may not be a king. Tyrannicide was sometimes justified in political philosophy, whereas regicide was almost always condemned.
No. It is a low-frequency, formal word used primarily in historical, academic, or highly figurative contexts.
Linguistically, 'regicide' applies to a king (rex). The killing of a queen regnant (a ruling queen) would also be called regicide. The term 'regicida' in Latin-based languages applies to the killer of any sovereign.
The killing of a king.
Regicide is usually formal, historical, literary, political in register.
Regicide: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛdʒ.ɪ.saɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛdʒ.ə.saɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to the word. The concept itself is often used metaphorically, e.g., 'corporate regicide' for ousting a CEO.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: REGI- (like 'regal' or 'regime', relating to a ruler) + -CIDE (killing, as in 'suicide', 'homicide'). So, ruler-killing.
Conceptual Metaphor
KILLING A KING IS THE ULTIMATE POLITICAL/SPIRITUAL CRIME. Metaphorically extended to: OUSTING A LEADER IS REGICIDE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'regicide'?