guillotining
Executing by decapitation
Guillotining is the act of executing someone by guillotine—the blade-and-frame device that severs the head.
The term extends to any swift, decisive cutting action: guillotining the budget, guillotining debate.
In British parliamentary procedure, guillotining is imposing a strict time limit to force a vote and cut off discussion.
Removal of head
- bladeFlat cutting edge
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
- executionerOne who kills condemned
- French RevolutionLate-1700s republican upheaval
Reign of Terror · Robespierre · Marie Antoinette · condemned · severing · decapitation · public execution · basket
Cutting or pruning device
- bladeFlat cutting edge
- straight edgeUnbent measuring tool
- bookbindingAssembling pages into volumes
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
sheets · crop marks · clean cut · graphic design · bindery · paper stock · ream · scoring
Sense of emotional resolution
- debateFormal argument on issues
- time limitMaximum duration permitted
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
amendment · voting · Westminster · motion · procedure · bill · speaker · curtailment
Relating to operations
- amputationSurgical limb removal
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- incisionControlled cut into tissue
- dissectionAnatomical cutting and examination
specimen · pathology · scalpel · histology · laboratory · cross-section · microtome · clinical
beheading
Removal of head
- bladeFlat cutting edge
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
- executionerOne who kills condemned
French Revolution · Reign of Terror · Robespierre · Marie Antoinette · condemned · severing · decapitation · public execution · basket · lunette
trimmer
Cutting or pruning device
- bladeFlat cutting edge
- straight edgeUnbent measuring tool
- bookbindingAssembling pages into volumes
precision · sheets · crop marks · clean cut · graphic design · bindery · paper stock · ream · scoring · perforation
closure
Sense of emotional resolution
- debateFormal argument on issues
- time limitMaximum duration permitted
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
filibuster · amendment · voting · Westminster · motion · procedure · bill · speaker · curtailment · House of Commons
surgical
Relating to operations
- amputationSurgical limb removal
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- incisionControlled cut into tissue
dissection · specimen · pathology · scalpel · histology · laboratory · cross-section · microtome · clinical · sterile
- cuttingslicing, slice, chopping, dice, dicing
- print finishinglaminating, embossing, die cutting, folding, trimming
guillotiningsaving
Reserving for future use
rescuing · sparing · preserving · reviving · resuscitating
guillotininghanging
Execution by noose
shooting · electrocuting · lethal injection · gassing · stoning
guillotiningpardoning
Forgiving an offense officially
acquitting · exonerating · freeing · releasing · commuting