Meanings
nounnine-killer (plural nine-killers)
plural nine-killers
- archaicThe northern shrike (Lanius borealis).
Synonyms & antonyms
Also see
Origin
The bird was believed to kill and impale on thorns nine birds, etc., in succession.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
nine-killer. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nine-killer
MLA
“nine-killer.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nine-killer. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “nine-killer,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nine-killer.
Source: nine-killer on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.