noun
Refers to a person sent to kill someone, often for political or historical reasons. Can be used in modern contexts metaphorically.
歴史小説では、しばしば刺客が重要な役割を果たす。
In historical novels, assassins often play an important role.
彼は政敵を倒すために刺客を送ったと言われている。
noun
opposition candidate fielded to unseat a same-party incumbent
Abbreviation of 刺客候補. Used in Japanese politics when a party fields a candidate specifically to defeat an incumbent from the same party, often in a primary or election.
See also: 刺客候補
次の選挙で、党は現職を倒すために刺客を立てるかもしれない。
In the next election, the party might field an 'assassin' candidate to oust the incumbent.
He is said to have sent an assassin to eliminate his political rival.
Kana spelling is acceptable, especially when the political abbreviation sense is intended or to avoid misreading.
From Chinese 刺客 (cìkè). The political sense is a modern Japanese abbreviation of 刺客候補.