The word "雇凶" is formed by combining the character "雇", which means to hire or employ, with the character "凶", which refers to a murderer or vicious person. In this compound, "雇" functions as the verb indicating the action of hiring, and "凶" serves as the direct object, specifying the type of person being hired. Thus, the combined term directly conveys the meaning of hiring a killer or contracting someone to commit violent acts.