electrocute

electrocute
electrocute "execute by electricity," 1889, Amer.Eng., from ELECTRO- (Cf. electro-) + back half of EXECUTE (Cf. execute). The method first was used Aug. 6, 1890, in New York state, on William Kemmler, convicted of the murder of his common-law wife. Sense involving accidental death is first recorded 1909. Electric chair is also first recorded 1889, which is when the first one was introduced in New York state as a humane alternative to hanging. Related: Electrocuted; electrocuting.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Electrocute — Bei einem Live Auftritt (Februar 2008) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Electrocute — E*lec tro*cute , v. t. [Electro + cute in execute.] To execute or put to death by electricity. {E*lec tro*cu tion}, n. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • électrocuté — ● électrocuté, électrocutée nom Personne qui a subi une électrocution …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • electrocute — elec·tro·cute vt cut·ed, cut·ing [electro , combining form meaning “electric” + exe cute]: to execute (a convicted criminal) by electricity elec·tro·cu·tion n Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 …   Law dictionary

  • electrocute — ► VERB ▪ injure or kill by electric shock. DERIVATIVES electrocution noun …   English terms dictionary

  • electrocute — ☆ electrocute [ē lek′trə kyo͞ot΄, ilek′trə kyo͞ot΄ ] vt. electrocuted, electrocuting [ ELECTRO + (EXE)CUTE] to kill with a charge of electricity; specif., to execute in the electric chair electrocution n …   English World dictionary

  • electrocute — UK [ɪˈlektrəˌkjuːt] / US [ɪˈlektrəˌkjut] verb [transitive] Word forms electrocute : present tense I/you/we/they electrocute he/she/it electrocutes present participle electrocuting past tense electrocuted past participle electrocuted to kill or… …   English dictionary

  • Electrocute (band) — Infobox musical artist Name = Electrocute Img capt = Electrocute performing at the Los Angeles club Spaceland, February 2008. Img size = 450px Background = group or band Origin = Berlin, Germany Genre = Electro rock Electroclash Years active =… …   Wikipedia

  • electrocute — transitive verb ( cuted; cuting) Etymology: electr + cute (as in execute) Date: 1889 1. to execute (a criminal) by electricity 2. to kill by electric shock • electrocution noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • electrocute — electrocution, n. /i lek treuh kyooht /, v.t., electrocuted, electrocuting. 1. to kill by electricity. 2. to execute (a criminal) by electricity, as in an electric chair. [1885 90, Amer.; ELECTRO + (EXE)CUTE] * * * …   Universalium

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