burning at the stake
Heretic's fiery death
Burning at the stake was a method of execution in which the condemned was bound to a wooden post and set on fire.
It was used historically for heretics, witches, and traitors—crimes considered offenses against God or sovereign.
Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431.
The phrase now often appears figuratively for harsh public condemnation: Social media can feel like being burned at the stake.
- pyreFuneral burning heap
- going up in flamesBeing destroyed by fire
- witch trialsLegal proceedings against alleged sorcerers
- witch huntPersecuting supposed wrongdoers
- InquisitionChurch tribunal against heretics
public execution · Giordano Bruno · auto-da-fé · martyrdom · medieval period · dark ages · heresy · Joan of Arc · Protestant Reformation · abolition movements · trial by ordeal · moral panic · execution · capital punishment · smoke inhalation · Salem · punishment · bonfire
burning at the stakeinstant death
Dying without delay
lethal injection · guillotine · mercy killing · beheading · firing squad
burning at the stakequick death
Immediate, painless ending
instant death · euthanasia · lethal injection · coup de grâce · peaceful death