Webster's English Dictionary

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assassin

as.sas.sin \*-'sas-*n\ n [ML assassinus, fr. Ar hashsha-shi-n, pl. of 
   hashsha-sh] one addicted to hashish cap  1: one of a secret order of 
   Muslims that at the time of the Crusades terror ized Christians and other 
   enemies by secret murder committed under the influence of hashish 2: 
   MURDERER; esp : one that murders either for hire or from f anatical motives