execution English · revision 6835

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1374|origins=la exsequor}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌeksɪˈkjuːʃ(ə)n/, /ˌeksəˈkjuːʃ(ə)n/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English execucioun, [[bor|xno|execucioun]], [[m|fro|execucion|t=a carrying out]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|executio|t=an accomplishing]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) a noun of action from [[m|la|executus]], the past participle of [[m|la|exsequor|alt=exsequī|t=to follow out]] (see [[execute]]).^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The carrying into effect of a plan, law, command or the like: about 1374 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The specific sense of putting a condemned person to death is from the mid-14th century, out of legal phrases such as ''don execution of deth'', to carry out a sentence of death;^(Etymonline) SOED notes that it formerly covered any judicial, usually corporal, punishment.^(SOED 2002) The enforcement of a court's judgment and the writ that orders it are legal senses still current.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) The performance of a designed movement or operation is from about 1534, and the mastery of technique in playing music from 1795.^(OED 1989) Because both carry out legal orders, ''executor'' and ''executioner'' were once used interchangeably.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * mid-14th century – putting to death, in ''don execution of deth''.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1374 – carrying a plan or command into effect.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1380 – carrying a law or sentence into effect.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1534 – the carrying out of a designed operation.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1795 – skill in performance, especially in music.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act or process of carrying something out or putting it into effect.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The style or manner in which something is performed; [[technique]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The putting to death of a person as a legal [[penalty]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' The enforcement of a court's [[judgment]], or the [[writ]] ordering it; also, the validation of a legal document by completing the required formalities.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[executional]]

+ * [[nonexecution]]

+ * [[execution time]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[execute]]

+ * [[executioner]]

+ * [[executive]]

+ * [[executor]]

+ * [[sequence]]

+ * [[consequence]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}