fratricide

[Fr., from Lat. fratricida =the murderer of a brother; fratricidium =the murder of a brother, from frater =a brother, and cædo =to kill.] I. Ordinary Language : 1. The murder of a brother. 2. The murderer of a brother; one who murders his brother. II. Law : It is used also for the murder of a sister, the more distinctive term sororicide not being em ployed in law courts.