manslaughter

/ˈmænslɔːtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmænslɔːtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər/ (ame, mw)

manslaughter — 名詞

1. The legal crime of causing a person's death by acting in a reckless or dangerous

1.名詞B2
釋義

過失殺人

無意圖殺人但行為違法致人死亡

The legal crime of causing a person's death by acting in a reckless or dangerously careless way, without having planned or wanted to kill, and therefore not as serious as murder under the law.

例句

The truck driver faced manslaughter charges after the crash, though he had not meant to kill anyone.

那輛貨車的司機在車禍後面臨過失殺人指控，儘管他並非有意奪走任何人性命。

face + manslaughter charges (common legal collocation)

A jury found the doctor guilty of manslaughter for giving a patient the wrong medication.

陪審團認定該醫師因給患者開錯藥物而犯下過失殺人罪。

find + [person] + guilty of manslaughter

同義詞
  • homicide

    a broader term that includes both lawful and unlawful killings, not just the crime of reckless killing

  • culpable homicide

    legal term used in some jurisdictions (e.g. Scotland, South Africa) for unlawful killing without murder

  • killing

    a general, non-technical word without the specific legal meaning

反義詞
  • murder

    unlawful killing with intent or premeditation, considered the most serious homicide crime

文法句型

manslaughter + verb (singular)

用法筆記

Commonly contrasted with murder, which requires intent or premeditation. Manslaughter covers deaths caused by recklessness, negligence, or sudden provocation without malice. Distinguish from homicide: homicide is the broader term covering all killings of a person by another, including lawful ones.

常見錯誤

❌He was found guilty of a manslaughter.
✅He was found guilty of manslaughter.
💡Manslaughter is nearly always uncountable and does not take an indefinite article.
❌Manslaughter and murder mean the same thing in court.
✅Manslaughter is less serious than murder because the person did not intend to kill.
💡Murder requires intent or premeditation; manslaughter does not.