garrote

or ga·rote, ga·rotte, gar·rotte

[ guh-rot, -roht ]
See synonyms for garrote on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a method of capital punishment of Spanish origin in which an iron collar is tightened around a condemned person's neck until death occurs by strangulation or by injury to the spinal column at the base of the brain.

  2. the collarlike instrument used for this method of execution.

  1. strangulation or throttling, especially in the course of a robbery.

  2. an instrument, usually a cord or wire with handles attached at the ends, used for strangling a victim.

verb (used with object),gar·rot·ed, gar·rot·ing.
  1. to execute by the garrote.

  2. to strangle or throttle, especially in the course of a robbery.

Origin of garrote

1
1615–25; <Spanish garrote or French garrot packing-stick < ?

Other words from garrote

  • gar·rot·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use garrote in a sentence

  • Mackenzie writhed and struggled, groping on the floor for something to strike Carlson with and break his garroting grip.

  • I had an opportunity to observe all the methods of the most celebrated garroting maestro and stilletto virtuoso.

    Remarks | Bill Nye
  • To the question about having assisted in garroting Squire Brooks, he first said, I didnt do it.

  • "Well, wait until your trusty right hand is healed before you try garroting anybody," she suggested dryly.

    The Pride of Palomar | Peter B. Kyne
  • In Boston garroting was common, and was only checked by Judge Russell sentencing all such subjects to the full extent of the law.

    Homo-culture | Martin Luther Holbrook