whodunit
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
whodunit (plural whodunits)
- A novel or drama concerning a crime (usually a murder) in which a detective follows clues to determine the perpetrator.
- 1946, Josephina Niggli. Pointers on radio writing (Boston: The Writer, Inc.) page 25
- Actually, an whodunit is a mystery story. The hero is generally a detective, although sometimes he is a gentleman (apparently a mild mannered worm) who sallies forth at night to become Public Enemy No. One of Crime. Otherwise the formula is exactly the same as that of the Cliff-hanger and follows the same rules.
- 1946, Josephina Niggli. Pointers on radio writing (Boston: The Writer, Inc.) page 25
Synonyms [edit]
(A fictional story of a crime which a detective solves): detective novel, detective story, mystery story
Hypernyms [edit]
(A fictional story of a crime which a detective solves): thriller
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
a crime novel or drama
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