different between electrocution vs execution

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

From Old French execution (c.1360), from Latin exsecuti?, an agent noun from exsequor (“to follow out”), from ex (“out”) + sequor (“follow”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?ek.s??kju?.??n/

Noun

execution (countable and uncountable, plural executions)

1. The act, manner or style of executing (actions, maneuvers, performances).
2. The state of being accomplished.

3. The act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated.
4. (law) The carrying into effect of a court judgment, or of a will.
5. (law) The formal process by which a contract is made valid and put into binding effect.
6. (computing) The carrying out of an instruction, program or program segment by a computer.

   The entire machine slowed down during the execution of the virus checker.

Hyponyms

• (penalty of death): crucifixion, electrocution, hanging, lethal injection

Derived terms

• execution-style
• posthumous execution
• summary execution

Related terms

• execute
• executioner
• executive
• executor

Translations

Further reading

• execution in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• execution in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Middle French

Etymology

From Latin exec?ti?, an agent noun from exsequor (“follow out”), itself from ex + sequor (“follow”).

Noun

execution f (plural executions)

1. execution (act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated)

Descendants

• French exécution

Old French

Etymology

From Latin exec?ti?, an agent noun from exsequor (“follow out”), itself from ex + sequor (“follow”).

Noun

execution f (oblique plural executions, nominative singular execution, nominative plural executions)

1. execution (act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated)

Descendants

• ? English: execution
• French exécution