kill¹ (kĭl)

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[Middle English killen, perhaps from Old English* cyllan.]

verb: killed, kill·ing, kills. 

transitive verb 

1. 1. To put to death.
   2. To deprive of life: The Black Death was a disease that killed millions.
2. To put an end to; extinguish: The rain killed our plans for a picnic.
3. 1. To destroy a vitally essential quality in: Too much garlic killed the taste of the meat.
   2. To cause to cease operating; turn off: killed the motor.
   3. To tire out completely; exhaust: “The trip to work, and the boredom and nervousness of jobs, kills men” (Jimmy Breslin)
4. To pass (time) in aimless activity: killed a few hours before the flight by sightseeing.
5. To consume entirely; finish off: kill a bottle of brandy.
6. Sports To prevent a hockey team on a power play from scoring during (a penalty).
7. To cause extreme pain or discomfort to: My shoes are killing me.
8. To mark for deletion; rule out: killed the story.
9. To thwart passage of; veto: kill a congressional bill.
10. Informal To overwhelm with hilarity, pleasure, or admiration: The outstanding finale killed the audience.
11. Sports
    1. To hit (a ball) with great force.
    2. To hit (a ball) with such force as to make a return impossible, especially in a racquet game.

intransitive verb 

1. To cause death or extinction; be fatal.
2. To commit murder.
3. Informal To make such a strong impression as to overcome: dress to kill.

noun 

1. The act of killing.
2. 1. An animal killed, especially in hunting.
   2. A person killed or to be killed: “Infantrymen . . . had seen too many kills suddenly get up and run away or shoot at them as they approached” (Nelson DeMille)
   3. An enemy aircraft, vessel, or missile that has been attacked and destroyed.
3. Sports A kill shot.

phrasal verbs

kill off

To destroy in such large numbers as to render extinct.

idioms

in at the kill

Present at the moment of triumph.

kill² (kĭl)

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[Dutch kil, from Middle Dutch kille.]

noun 

See creek

creek (krēk, krĭk)

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[Middle English creke, probably from Old Norse kriki, bend.]

noun 

1. A small stream, often a shallow or intermittent tributary to a river. Also called Also called regionally branch, brook¹, kill², run
2. A channel or stream running through a salt marsh: tidal creeks teeming with shore wildlife.
3. Chiefly British A small inlet in a shoreline, extending farther inland than a cove.

idioms

up the creek (without a paddle)

In a difficult, unfortunate, or inextricable position.