Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English executen <
Old French executer <
Medieval Latin execūtāre, derivative of
Latin execūtus, past participle of
ex(
s)
equī to follow up, carry out (punishment), execute; see
ex-1,
sequence Related forms ex·e·cut·a·ble, adjective
ex·e·cut·er, noun
non·ex·e·cut·a·ble, adjective
out·ex·e·cute, verb (used with object), out·ex·e·cut·ed, out·ex·e·cut·ing.
pre·ex·e·cute, verb (used with object), pre·ex·e·cut·ed, pre·ex·e·cut·ing.
re·ex·e·cute, verb (used with object), re·ex·e·cut·ed, re·ex·e·cut·ing.
un·ex·e·cut·a·ble, adjective
un·ex·e·cut·ed, adjective
un·ex·e·cut·ing, adjective
well-ex·e·cut·ed, adjective
Synonyms
1. achieve, complete, finish, consummate. 7a. enforce, administer.