victim Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
  2. noun a person who is tricked or swindled
    dupe.

WordNet

Vic"tim noun
Etymology
L. victima: cf. F. victime.
Definitions
  1. A living being sacrificed to some deity, or in the performance of a religious rite; a creature immolated, or made an offering of.
    Led like a victim, to my death I'll go. Dryden.
  2. A person or thing destroyed or sacrificed in the pursuit of an object, or in gratification of a passion; as, a victim to jealousy, lust, or ambition.
  3. A person or living creature destroyed by, or suffering grievous injury from, another, from fortune or from accident; as, the victim of a defaulter; the victim of a railroad accident.
  4. Hence, one who is duped, or cheated; a dupe; a gull. Colloq.

Webster 1913