different between electrocution vs electrocute

English

Etymology

electrocute +? -ion

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??l?kt???kju???n/

Noun

electrocution (countable and uncountable, plural electrocutions)

1. The accidental death or suicide by electric shock.
2. Deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair.
3. (informal) A severe electric shock, whether fatal or not.

Usage notes

Formally, the words electrocution and electrocute imply fatality (and originally referred specifically to judicial execution, although the latter distinction has fallen out of use). Informally, however, these terms are sometimes used to refer to serious but nonfatal electric shocks. Preferred usage is to normally reserve electrocution for fatal electric shocks, and to use shock or electric shock for nonfatal ones.

Translations

See also

• execution

English

Etymology

Blend of electro- +? execute

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??lekt??kju?t/, /??lekt??kju?t/

Verb

electrocute (third-person singular simple present electrocutes, present participle electrocuting, simple past and past participle electrocuted)

1. (transitive) To kill by electric shock.

   Her hairdryer fell into the tub while she was bathing, and she was electrocuted.

2. (transitive) To execute by electric shock, often by means of an electric chair.

   The executioner threw the switch on Old Sparky, and the condemned prisoner was electrocuted for his crimes.

3. (transitive, proscribed, informal) To inflict a severe electric shock (not necessarily fatal) upon.

Usage notes

• Formally, the words electrocute and electrocution always imply fatality. Informally, however, these terms are rather often used to refer to serious but nonfatal electric shocks. Standard usage is to reserve electrocute and electrocution for fatal electric shocks, and to use shock or electric shock for nonfatal ones.
• Originally, electrocute and electrocution specifically referred only to judicial execution by electric shock. However, electrocute and electrocution are now used to refer to all fatal electric shocks, even those not used in execution.

Synonyms

• (execute using electricity): fry (slang)
• (nonfatal electric shock): zap, electrify

Related terms

• electrocution (noun)

Translations

Portuguese

Verb

electrocute

1. first-person singular (eu) present subjunctive of electrocutar
2. third-person singular (ele and ela, also used with você and others) present subjunctive of electrocutar
3. third-person singular (você) affirmative imperative of electrocutar
4. third-person singular (você) negative imperative of electrocutar

Spanish

Verb

electrocute

1. First-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of electrocutar.
2. Formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of electrocutar.
3. Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted^?) present subjunctive form of electrocutar.