different between electrocution vs electrocutioner

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 electrocution +? executioner, or electrocution +? -er

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: e?lec?tro?cu?tion?er

Noun

electrocutioner (plural electrocutioners)

1. an executioner who carries out an execution by means of electricity
   • U.S. Supreme Court: STATE OF LA. EX REL. FRANCIS v. RESWEBER, 329 U.S. 459 (1947) 329 U.S. 459 STATE OF LOUISIANA ex rel. FRANCIS v. RESWEBER, sheriff, et al. No. 142.

     'Then the electrocutioner turned on the switch and when he did Willie Francis' lips puffed out and he groaned and jumped so that the chair came off the floor. Apparently the switch was turned on twice and then the condemned man yelled: 'Take it off. Let me breath." Affidavit of official witness Harold Resweber, dated May 23, 1946.

Related terms

• electrocution
• electrocute

Translations