What does manslaughter mean Meaning and Definition
Manslaughter
Pronunciation
/ˈmænzslɑːtər/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of a human being without the intent to kill. It is considered a form of homicide, but with mitigating circumstances.
There are two main types of manslaughter:
- Voluntary manslaughter involves a premeditated act that results in death, but is not intended to cause harm. For example, a person who commits murder in the heat of the moment may be charged with voluntary manslaughter.
- Involuntary manslaughter involves the result of an illegal act that was committed without any deliberate intention to cause harm, often due to a momentary lapse of judgment. For instance, a person caught up in chaos and committing an irresponsible action that resulted unintentionally in a death.
Examples
- The defendant was charged with manslaughter after the accident.
- Her negligent behavior led to a tragic accident, and she was convicted of manslaughter.
Synonyms
- Homicide
- Murder
- Lethal assault
Antonyms
- Assassination
- Massacre
- Genocide
Etymology
The term Manslaughter originates from Old French ‘malsuivre’ meaning ‘to follow poorly’ and ‘tuor’ meaning ‘to slay’. The concept of man-slaughter has evolved over time to encompass different types of crimes.
Historically, courts have used other phrases to describe this type of act with punishment varying greatly. In some jurisdictions, there have been no clear-cut definitions for manslaughter.
Usage Notes
When using the term Manslaughter, it is essential to understand the nuances between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. Additional nuances may apply in specific jurisdictions.
Correct terminology is essential, especially in formal situations or in critical contexts such as law.
Cultural References
The term Manslaughter is used in various popular media such as movies, TV shows, and literature. For instance, ‘Manslaughter’ is the title of several movies and books.
The novel ‘Manslaughter: A Crime Story’ by P.D. James illustrates specific complexities of this concept.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
There are no widely-used idiomatic expressions involving the term Manslaughter.
Related Words or Phrases
Words often used in conjunction with manslaughter are ‘homicide’, ‘murder’, ‘lethal assault’, ‘manslayer’, ‘felony murder’, and ‘culpable homicide’.
Collocations
- Vehicle manslaughter
- Shooting and manslaughter
- A convicted felon for manslaughter
- Multiple attempts leading to manslaughter
Frequency of Use
The word Manslaughter is often used in media reports of criminal incidents but tends to appear more in law-based terminology or texts about forensic analysis, history of laws and lesser reported social aspects of murder or unlawful deaths.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of manslaughter are: manslaugar, man slaugher, manoslaughter, manslaughtr, mansalughter.