What is the term for unlawfully killing someone in a fit of sudden passion?

The term for unlawfully killing someone in a fit of sudden passion is manslaughter. This legal classification typically involves situations where the perpetrator did not have the intention to kill but acted out of extreme emotional disturbance or provocation, which inhibited their capacity for reasoned judgment. Unlike murder, which is characterized by premeditation and intent to kill, manslaughter acknowledges the element of sudden passion or heat of the moment as a significant factor in the crime. This distinction is crucial in the legal system as it often carries lighter penalties because it recognizes the loss of self-control that can occur in extreme circumstances.