guillotine Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun closure imposed on the debate of specific sections of a bill
    closure by compartment.
  2. noun instrument of execution that consists of a weighted blade between two vertical poles; used for beheading people
  3. verb kill by cutting the head off with a guillotine
    • The French guillotined many Vietnamese while they occupied the country

WordNet

Guil"lo*tine` noun
Etymology
F., from Guillotin, a French physician, who proposed, in the Constituent Assembly of 1789, to abolish decapitation with the ax or sword. The instrument was invented by Dr. Antoine Louis, and was called at first Louison or Louisette. Similar machines, however, were known earlier.
Definitions
  1. A machine for beheading a person by one stroke of a heavy ax or blade, which slides in vertical guides, is raised by a cord, and let fall upon the neck of the victim.
  2. Any machine or instrument for cutting or shearing, resembling in its action a guillotine.
Guil"lo*tine` transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. guillotiner.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Guillotined ; present participle & verbal noun Guillotining
Definitions
  1. To behead with the guillotine.

Webster 1913