As·sas·sin·ate v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assassinated p. pr. & vb. n. Assassinating ]
 1. To kill by surprise or secret assault; to murder by treacherous violence.
    Help, neighbors, my house is broken open by force, and I am ravished, and like to be assassinated.   --Dryden.
 2. To assail with murderous intent; hence, by extended meaning, to maltreat exceedingly. [Archaic]
    Your rhymes assassinate our fame.   --Dryden.
 Such usage as your honorable lords
 Afford me, assassinated and betrayed.   --Milton.
 Syn: -- To kill; murder; slay. See Kill.
 assassinated
      adj : murdered by surprise attack for political reasons; "the 20th
            century has een too many assassinated leaders"