1. people who kill other human beings; murderers
Usage: archaic; literary

Examples

• The ancient law prescribed exile for manslayers who killed in self-defense.
• In biblical times, cities of refuge were established to protect manslayers from revenge.
• The court distinguished between intentional manslayers and those who killed accidentally.
• Medieval chronicles often spoke of notorious manslayers who terrorized the countryside.
• The old statute made no distinction between manslayers and other types of criminals.
• According to the text, manslayers were banished from the community for seven years.