Ital. "ammazzare" (con considerazioni su "stramazzare", "mattare", "mazzare")

The Italian verb “ammazzare” ‘to kill (someone), usually in a violent way’ is explained by Italian historical and etymological lexicography as a verb originally indicating a homicide committed with a club (Italian “mazza”). On the basis of historical linguistic examples it is instead here ascribed to the act of striking animals with a club during slaughter, where the verb would then assume (for the immediate correspondence between the action and its purpose) the general meaning of ‘killing (an animal)’ (subsequently being referred to people). The article then briefly discusses the etymology of the Italian verb “stramazzare” ‘to strike down to the ground violently’, which may also be ascribed to animal slaughter, and finally the origin of the ancient Italian verbs “mattare” and “mazzare” ‘to kill’, as well as their possible Latin bases *MATTARE/*MATTIARE.