Nearby Words

electrocution

[ih-lek-truh-kyoot] Origin

e·lec·tro·cute

[ih-lek-truh-kyoot]
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

e·lec·tro·cu·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Electrocution is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Collins
World English Dictionary
electrocute (ɪˈlɛktrəˌkjuːt)
 
vb
1.  to kill as a result of an electric shock
2.  (US) to execute in the electric chair
 
[C19: from electro- + (exe)cute]
 
electro'cution
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
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
EXPAND
to hanging. Related: Electrocuted; electrocution.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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