Guillotine

Revolutionary execution device

A guillotine is a device for beheading, consisting of a heavy blade that drops between two vertical guides.

Invented as a more humane method of execution during the French Revolution, it became synonymous with that era's mass killings.

The word now commonly refers to a paper cutter with a similar hinged blade mechanism.

In legislative contexts, a guillotine is a procedure that sets a strict time limit on debate, effectively cutting off further discussion: The committee imposed a guillotine to force a vote by Friday.

execution

beheading

Removal of head

bladeFlat cutting edge
scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
executionerOne who kills condemned

French Revolution · Reign of Terror · decapitation · Robespierre · Marie Antoinette · condemned · public execution · basket · severed · capital punishment

mechanism

blade

Flat cutting edge

dropFall or release
releaseTo let go
weightedMade intentionally heavier

lunette · mouton · uprights · crossbar · bascule · mechanism · sharp · angled · efficient · swift

medical

surgical

Relating to operations

tonsillectomyExcision of throat lymphoid tissue
adenoidectomyExcision of nasopharyngeal tonsils
instrumentDevice for specific tasks

blade · tissue · procedure · excision · sterile · operating · precision · cutting · biopsy · snare

paper

cutter

One who severs

trimmerCutting or pruning device
bladeFlat cutting edge
stackItems piled vertically

office · printing · bookbinding · straight edge · lever · alignment · sheets · desktop · commercial · arm

legislative

closure

Sense of emotional resolution

debateFormal argument on issues
filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
parliamentaryOf a legislature

time limit · procedure · motion · amendment · bill · vote · Congress · obstruction · cloture · committee

Guillotine

beheading

blade

surgical

cutter

closure

Guillotine

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family