lapidation

[ lap-i-dey-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act of throwing stones at someone as a form of punishment:
Any deviation from the norm might be punished by discrimination, torture, lapidation, or death.
the act of putting a person or animal to death by pelting them with stones:
The stained glass near the rear of the church portrays the lapidation of St. Stephen the Martyr.

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin lapidātiōn-, stem of lapidātiō “a stoning”; lapidate ( def ), -ion ( def )

By the way they passed a sward of green, on which sundry little boys were engaged upon the lapidation of a lame duck.

By the way they passed a sward of green, on which sundry little boys were engaged upon the lapidation, or stoning, of a lame duck.

"Lapidation" is good; it is much more elegant than "stoning."

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

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