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electrocute

 - 5 dictionary results

e⋅lec⋅tro⋅cute

  [i-lek-truh-kyoot]
Use electrocute in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -cut⋅ed, -cut⋅ing.
1. to kill by electricity.
2. to execute (a criminal) by electricity, as in an electric chair.
Origin:
1885–90, Americanism; electro- + (exe)cute

Related forms:
e⋅lec⋅tro⋅cu⋅tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To electrocute
e·lec·tro·cute   (ĭ-lěk'trə-kyōōt')   
tr.v.   e·lec·tro·cut·ed, e·lec·tro·cut·ing, e·lec·tro·cutes

  1. To kill with electricity: a worker who was electrocuted by a high-tension wire.

  2. To execute (a condemned prisoner) by means of electricity.


[electro- + (exe)cute.]
e·lec'tro·cu'tion (-kyōō'shən) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

electrocute 
"execute by electricity," 1889, Amer.Eng., from electro- (see electric) + (exe)cute; sense involving accidental death is first recorded 1909. Electric chair is also first recorded 1889, which is when the first one was introduced in New York state as a humane alternative to hanging.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: elec·tro·cute
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -cut·ed; -cut·ing
Etymology: electro-, combining form meaning “electric” + execute
: to execute (a convicted criminal) by electricity —elec·tro·cu·tion noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: elec·tro·cute
Pronunciation: i-'lek-tr&-"kyüt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -cut·ed;-cut·ing
1 : to execute (a criminal) by electricity
2 : to kill by a shock of electricity —elec·tro·cu·tion /-"lek-tr&-'kyü-sh&n/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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