axe,blade,cleaver,clipper,cutter,decapitator,execution,executioner,hatchet,scythe,shear,slayer,slicer
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decapitation device, pardon, reprieve, amnesty
guillotine
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Dictionary definition of guillotine
A machine designed for carrying out capital punishment by decapitation.
"The sound of the guillotine blade dropping was chilling to hear."
Detailed meaning of guillotine
The device consists of a tall wooden frame, usually about 4 meters high, with a heavy blade suspended at the top. The condemned person is secured to a board or platform beneath the blade, and the blade is released by a mechanism to fall and slice through the neck, severing the head from the body. The guillotine was widely used in France during the French Revolution in the late 18th century, and it is often associated with that period of history. While the use of the guillotine for state executions has largely been phased out, it remains a symbol of the brutality and violence of the past. In contemporary usage, the term "guillotine" is sometimes used metaphorically to refer to any action or policy that is perceived as being harsh or cruel.
Example sentences of guillotine
1. The guillotine was a symbol of the French Revolution's brutality.
2. The executioner operated the guillotine with precision.
3. The condemned faced the guillotine with a sense of resignation.
4. The guillotine's blade fell swiftly, ending a life.
5. The invention of the guillotine revolutionized executions.
6. The guillotine's use sparked debate over its humanity.
History and etymology of guillotine
The noun 'guillotine' has a chilling etymology that can be traced back to the French Revolution in the late 18th century. It is named after Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, a French physician who proposed the use of a mechanical device for carrying out executions as a more humane and efficient alternative to previous methods. The device, which came to be known as the guillotine, was designed for the swift and precise decapitation of condemned individuals. The term 'guillotine' itself is a derivation from Dr. Guillotin's name and the French diminutive suffix '-ette,' reflecting the machine's association with him. Over time, the guillotine became a symbol of the French Revolution and its radical approach to justice. Its etymology serves as a stark reminder of its historical role in capital punishment during a turbulent period in French history.
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Further usage examples of guillotine
1. Witnesses gathered to watch the guillotine in action.
2. The guillotine was used for public executions in the square.
3. The condemned prayed for a quick death on the guillotine.
4. The guillotine became synonymous with the Reign of Terror.
5. The guillotine's blade was sharpened for each execution.
6. The guillotine's operation was considered efficient.
7. The crowd gasped as the guillotine's blade dropped.
8. The condemned's head rolled from the guillotine's basket.
9. The guillotine's legacy remains a dark chapter in history.
10. The guillotine's use eventually waned in modern society.
11. The condemned wrote a final letter before the guillotine.
12. The guillotine's mechanism was gruesome yet effective.
13. The guillotine's design aimed for a humane execution.
14. The guillotine became a chilling symbol of state power.
15. The guillotine was a device used for capital punishment during the French Revolution.
16. The condemned prisoner was led to the guillotine to face their sentence.
17. The guillotine was a quick and efficient method of execution.
18. The invention of the guillotine revolutionized the way that executions were carried out.
19. The executioner carefully inspected the guillotine to ensure that it was in working order.
20. The guillotine was a symbol of the Reign of Terror in France.
21. The guillotine was eventually abolished as a method of execution in France.
22. The guillotine has become a powerful symbol in art and literature.
23. The use of the guillotine was highly controversial and generated significant public debate.
24. The victim's family gathered to witness the execution by guillotine, seeking justice for their loved one.
25. The guillotine remains a part of France's complex history, serving as a reminder of the power of the state and the consequences of revolution.
