ho·mi·cide /'hä-mə-ˌsīd, 'hō-/ n [Latin homicidium, from homo human being + caedere to cut, kill]
1: a person who kills another
criminal homicide: homicide committed by a person with a criminal state of mind (as intentionally, with premeditation, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence)
deliberate homicide: homicide caused purposely and knowingly
— used in Montana
excusable homicide: homicide that is committed by accident or misfortune by a person doing a lawful act by lawful means with usual and ordinary caution and without any unlawful intent and that is excused under the law with no criminal punishment imposed; also: justifiable homicide in this entry
felonious homicide: homicide committed without justification
homicide by misadventure: homicide that occurs as the result of an accident caused by a person doing a lawful act with no unlawful intent
justifiable homicide: homicide that is committed in self-defense, in defense of another and esp. a member of one's family or sometimes in defense of a residence, in preventing a felony esp. involving great bodily harm, or in performing a legal duty and that is justified under the law with no criminal punishment imposed; also: excusable homicide in this entry
negligent homicide: homicide caused by a person's criminally negligent act
reckless homicide: homicide caused by a person's reckless acts
◇ In Illinois, involuntary manslaughter committed by use of a motor vehicle is called reckless homicide.
ve·hic·u·lar homicide /vē-'hi-kyə-lər-/: homicide committed by the use of a vehicle (as an automobile or boat)
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.