Emily Dickinson Lexicon

KILL, v.t. [The Dutch has keel, the throat, and keelen, to cut the throat, to kill. In Russ. kolyu is to stab. But this word seems to be allied to Sax. cwellan, to kill, to quell, that is, to beat down, to lay; and if so, it may be connected with D. kwellen, G. quälen, Sw. quälia, Dan. quæler, to torment, but in Danish to stifle, choke or quell. This affinity is rendered probable by the seamen's phrase, to kill the wind, that is, to allay or destroy it.]

1. To deprive of life, animal or vegetable, in any manner or by any means. To kill an animal or a plant, is to put an end to the vital functions, either by destroying or essentially injuring the organs necessary to life, or by causing them to cease from action. An animal may be killed by the sword or by poison, by disease or by suffocation. A strong solution of salt will kill plants.
2. To butcher; to slaughter for food; as, to kill an ox.
3. To quell; to appease; to calm; to still; as, in seamen's language, a shower of rain kills the wind.