Victim
/ˈvɪktɪm/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One that is harmed—killed, injured, subjected to oppression, deceit, or otherwise adversely affected—by someone or something, especially another person or event, force, or condition; in particular
"The victim of the robbery gave a detailed statement."
- 2 an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance wordnet
- 3 One that is harmed—killed, injured, subjected to oppression, deceit, or otherwise adversely affected—by someone or something, especially another person or event, force, or condition; in particular:; One who is harmed or killed by a crime or scam.
"victims of assault; the murderer's victims"
- 4 a person who is tricked or swindled wordnet
- 5 One that is harmed—killed, injured, subjected to oppression, deceit, or otherwise adversely affected—by someone or something, especially another person or event, force, or condition; in particular:; One who is harmed or killed by an accident or illness.
"a fundraiser for victims of AIDS; a victim of a car crash"
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- 6 One that is harmed—killed, injured, subjected to oppression, deceit, or otherwise adversely affected—by someone or something, especially another person or event, force, or condition; in particular:; One who is harmed or killed as a result of other people's biases, emotions or incompetence, or their own.
"a victim of his own pride; a victim of her own incompetence"
- 7 One that is harmed—killed, injured, subjected to oppression, deceit, or otherwise adversely affected—by someone or something, especially another person or event, force, or condition; in particular:; One who is harmed or killed as a result of a natural or man-made disaster or impersonal condition.
"relief efforts to help victims of the hurricane"
- 8 A living being which is slain and offered as a sacrifice, usually in a religious rite.
- 9 A living being which is slain and offered as a sacrifice, usually in a religious rite.; The transfigured body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist. broadly
Verb
- 1 To make (something) a victim (especially of a ritual sacrifice); to victimize. nonstandard, rare, transitive
Example
More examples"The victim of blackmail has been paying hush money for years, but now he realizes it is foolish, and has decided not to pay a red cent more."
Etymology
From Middle French victime, from Latin victima (“sacrificial animal”).