from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Killer \Kill"er\, n.
1. One who deprives of life; one who, or that which, kills.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) A voracious, toothed whale of the genus {Orca}, of
which several species are known; called also {killer
whale}.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The killers have a high dorsal fin, and powerful jaws
armed with large, sharp teeth. They capture, and
swallow entire, large numbers of seals, porpoises, and
dolphins, and are celebrated for their savage, combined
attacks upon the right whales, which they are said to
mutilate and kill. The common Atlantic species ({Orca
gladiator}), is found both on the European and the
American coast. Two species ({Orca ater} and {Orca
rectipinna}) occur on the Pacific coast.
[1913 Webster]