interfĭcĭo, fēci, fectum (archaic pass.: interfiat, Lucr. 3, 872: interfieri, Plaut. Trin. 2, 4, 131), 3, v. a. [inter-facio], to put between.
- I. In gen. (rare): terrae natura medicatas aquas interficit, Plin. 2, 100, 104, § 222 (al. inficiat).
- II. In partic.
- A. To consume, devour: piscium magnam atque altilium vim, Lucil. ap. Non. 330, 31 al.
- B. To destroy, bring to naught: messes, Verg. G. 4, 330: herbas, Cic. Fragm. ap. Non. 450, 2: usum, fructum, victum, Plaut. Merc. 5, 1, 4: virginitatem, App. M. 5, p. 160, 25.
- C. To kill, slay, murder (class.; syn. neco, occido, trucido): aliquem, Cic. Att. 13, 10; Caes. B. G. 1, 12 fin.; 2, 23; Sall. Cat. 18, 5; Liv. 31, 18, 7 al.: feras, Lucr. 5, 1249.
With abl. of separation, to cut off from: aliquem et vitā, et lumine, Plaut. Truc. 2, 6, 37.
With abl. of means: anum siti fameque atque algu, id. Most. 1, 3, 36.
- 2. Esp. with se, to commit suicide: se ipsum, Sulp. ap. Cic. Fam. 4, 12, 2: omnes desperatā salute se ipsi interficiunt, Cic. de Or. 3, 3, 10; Caes. B. G. 5, 37, 6; Liv. 31, 18, 7; Tac. A. 6, 18; Quint. 11, 1, 36; Curt. 6, 11, 20; Aug. Civ. Dei, 1, 17 fin. al.
- * D. To interrupt: sermonem, App. M. 11, p. 269.