executioner
/,eksi'kju:ʃnə/
Definition
Noun: * An official who carries out a sentence of death: A person, typically employed by the state, whose duty is to execute (put to death) individuals condemned by law, often in accordance with a legal warrant or order.
Usage
The word "executioner" refers specifically to the person who performs the act of capital punishment. It is a formal and historical term, often associated with a specific role in a judicial system. It carries a neutral, occupational connotation in legal contexts but can have grim or negative connotations in general discourse.
Examples
- The executioner carried out the sentence at dawn.
- In historical accounts, the masked executioner was a feared figure.
- The role of the state executioner is highly controversial.
Advanced Usage
- "To play the executioner": To take on the role or function of causing an end or demise, often metaphorically.
- The CEO had to play the executioner and announce the closure of the factory.
Variants and Related Words
- Execute (verb): To carry out a sentence of death; to put to death.
- Execution (noun): The act of putting someone to death as a legal penalty.
Synonyms
- Headsman
- Hangman (specifically for hanging)
Related Phrases
- To do the dirty work: To perform an unpleasant but necessary task, often for someone else. (This is a colloquial, metaphorical parallel to some perceptions of an executioner's role).
Noun
-
an official who inflicts capital punishment in pursuit of a warrant
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