What does the term "regicide" refer to?

The term "regicide" specifically refers to the act of murdering a monarch. This definition stems from the roots of the word itself: "rex," which means "king" in Latin, and the prefix "cidium," which refers to killing. Therefore, when someone commits regicide, they are directly responsible for the death of a king or queen. In the context of literature, including "Oedipus Rex," this concept often carries significant weight, as the act of killing a ruler can have profound implications for the state and the moral fabric of society. The other options do not correctly define regicide; they pertain to different actions unrelated to the specific act of killing a monarch.