The article deals with various definitional problems centering around the use of the words spouse and mate, homicide and murder, and homicide and criminal homicide. The first observation made from the literature is that there exists an undercurrent of understanding for a woman who kills her abusing spouse. The literature also contains the basis for at least six etiological presumptions regarding women and homicide. First is the concept of the "deadlier species," the cultural dichotomy in which women are defined as good or bad. The biological defect model suggests that women kill because of physical impairments beyond their control. Most of the psychological research is imbued with the psychopathology approach. The fourth approach, the "crime of passion" model, assumes that anyone might kill out of strong feelings. The fifth etiological perspective is that women mostly kill their mates and family members because of their role in a largely patriarchal society. Finally, the self-defense model, which was organized in the last decade, has some basis in the early literature. 42 references. (Author abstract modified).