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Webster 1913 Edition

Manslaughter

Man′slaughˊter

,
Noun.
1.
The slaying of a human being; destruction of men.
Milton.
2.
(Law)
The unlawful killing of a man, either in negligence or incidentally to the commission of some unlawful act, but without specific malice, or upon a sudden excitement of anger.

Webster 1828 Edition

Manslaughter

MAN'SLAUGHTER

,
Noun.
[man and slaughter. See Slay.]
1.
In a general sense,the killing of a man or of men; destruction of the human species; murder.
2.
In law, the unlawful killing of a man without malice, express or implied. This may be voluntary, upon a sudden heat or excitement of anger; or involuntary, but in the commission of some unlawful act. Manslaughter differs from murder in not proceeding from malice prepense or deliberate, which is essential to constitute murder. It differs from homicide excusable, being done in consequence of some unlawful act, whereas excusable homicide happens in consequence of misadventure.

Definition 2024

manslaughter

manslaughter

English

Noun

manslaughter ‎(plural manslaughters)

  1. (obsolete) The slaying of a human being.
  2. (law) The unlawful killing of a human, either in negligence or incidentally to the commission of some unlawful act, but without specific malice, or upon a sudden excitement of anger.

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Etymology

From Middle English manslaȝter, manslauter, equivalent to man +‎ slaughter, or taken as an adaptation of Old English mannslieht, mannsleaht ‎(“homicide”), from mann ‎(“man, person”) +‎ slieht, sleaht ‎(“stroke, slaying”), see manslaught. Cognate with Scots manslauchter ‎(“homicide”). Compare also Old Frisian monslaga ‎(“murder”).

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