transitive verb

1. to cause the death of; make die
2. 1. to destroy the vital or active qualities of
   2. to destroy; put an end to; ruin
3. to prevent the passage of (legislation); defeat or veto
4. to spend (time) on matters of little or no importance
5. ☆
   1. to cause (an engine, etc.) to stop; turn off
   2. to turn off (a light, esp. a theater spotlight)
   3. to muffle (sound)
6. ☆ to prevent publication of to kill a newspaper story
7. to spoil the effect of; destroy by contrast: said of colors, etc.
8. Informal to overcome with laughter, chagrin, pleasure, surprise, etc.
9. Informal to cause to feel great pain or discomfort
10. Informal to tire out; exhaust
11. ☆ Slang to drink the last, or all, of (a bottle of liquor, etc.); finish off
12. ☆ Printing to mark as not to be used; score out; cancel
13. Tennis, etc. to return (the ball) with such force that it cannot be returned

Etymology: ME kullen, killen < ? OE *cyllan, special late phonetic development of cwellan, to kill: see quell

intransitive verb

1. to destroy life
2. to be killed plants that kill easily

noun

1. an act or instance of killing
2. an animal or animals killed
3. an enemy plane, ship, etc. destroyed

noun

Etymology: Du kil < MDu kille, akin to ON kīll, inlet