[as.sas.sin] n [ML assassinus, fr. Ar hashshashin, pl. of hashshash one who smokes or chews hashish, fr. hashish hashish] (1603) 1 cap: one of a secret order of Muslims that at the time of the Crusades terrorized Christians and other enemies by secret murder committed under the influence of hashish
2: a person who commits murder; esp: one who murders a politically important person either for hire or from fanatical motives