electrocution

/i,lektrə'kju:ʃn/

Thân thiện

A worker accidentally touches a live wire and suffers a fatal electrocution.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of killing someone by electric shock: This refers specifically to causing death through the application of a powerful electric current to the body.
   • The condition of being killed by electric shock: This describes the fatal event or the cause of death itself.

Usage

The word "electrocution" is used to describe a fatal incident involving electricity. It is a formal term often found in legal, medical, safety, and news contexts. It implies a deliberate execution method or a fatal accident.

Examples

• As a noun:
  • The faulty wiring in the old building led to his accidental electrocution.
  • The state used electrocution as a method of execution for decades.
  • Safety regulations are designed to prevent worker electrocution on construction sites.

Advanced Usage

• "Risk of electrocution": A common phrase used in warnings to indicate a danger where fatal electric shock is possible.
  • Do not use electrical appliances near water due to the risk of electrocution.

Variants and Related Words

• Electrocute (verb): To kill or execute by electricity.
  • The prisoner was electrocuted at midnight.
  • He was nearly electrocuted when he touched the live wire.

Synonyms

• Electric shock death: A more descriptive, less formal synonym.
• Execution by electricity: A formal synonym specifically for the judicial act.

Different Meanings

The core meaning of "electrocution" is always fatal. For non-fatal incidents involving electric shock, the correct terms are "electric shock" or "electrical injury." - Correct for non-fatal: He survived a severe electric shock. - Incorrect for non-fatal: He survived an electrocution. (This is logically contradictory, as electrocution means death.)

Idioms and Phrases

• "To be a recipe for electrocution": Used to describe a situation or action that is extremely likely to cause a fatal electric shock.
  • Mixing those exposed wires with the flooded basement is a recipe for electrocution.

Học thuật

Noun

1. killing by electric shock
2. execution by electricity

Từ đồng nghĩa

• burning