executionn.
/ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃən/ The action of executing; the state or fact of being executed.† 4. Efficiency in action, executive ability. Obsolete.
1. † b. The giving practical effect to (a passion, sentiment, or principle); exercise (of powers); manifestation in act (rarely, in speech). Obsolete.
a. The action of carrying into effect (a plan, design, purpose, command, decree, task, etc.); accomplishment: an instance of this. Also, to carry into execution, †to order into execution, to put in execution or to put into execution.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > carrying out > [noun]
workingOE
executionc1374
performinga1425
expedition1445
executing1480
administration1483
performancec1487
performation1504
handiworka1513
performent1527
dispatchment1529
depeaching1540
exploit1548
depeach?a1562
dispatchinga1564
dispatch1581
acting1598
outbearing1605
peraction1623
expediting1643
implement1754
solutiona1859
out-carrying1869
actuation1875
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iii. 472 He..Had every thing..put in Execucion.
1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) 1 Esdras vi. 13 [vii. 1] Therfor Tathannai..and hise counseleris, diden execucioun..bi that that kyng Darius hadde comaundid.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. i. f. iiiiv In all olde Storyes..is nat founde..that any suche Storye..was put in Execucion.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) i. iii. 36 I like thy counsaile..and..how well I like it, The execution of it shall make knowne. View more context for this quotation
1651 in E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 259 He beggs me to further the execusion of the Kings comission.
1707 J. Freind Acct. Earl of Peterborow's Conduct in Spain 208 To such extraordinary Thoughts, and such diligent executions, were owing all our successes in Spain.
1772 S. Johnson Let. 29 Oct. (1992) I. 402 His intention and execution are not very near each other.
1810 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1838) V. 507 The mode in which directions given to the Portuguese authorities are carried into execution.
1863 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. Resid. Georgian Plantation 109 I..determined to put into execution a plan I had formed.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 10 There are,..eras of counsel, and eras of execution.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > practice, exercise, or doing > [noun] > exercising or exerting (a faculty or power)
exercisec1340
exercitationc1374
enhaunting1382
exercising1508
exercition1525
execution1581
forthputting1640
exertinga1676
exertiona1676
1581 J. Marbeck Bk. Notes & Common Places 780 Workes..are rather the executions and the ministring of righteousnesse.
1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 18 He may..represse them [sc. wicked inclinations]..that they breake not out into any damnable execution.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 ii. ii. 111 Scarse I can refraine the execution of my big swolne Hart, against that Clifford.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. iii. 210 Those that with the finesse of their soules, By reason guide his execution . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1623) iii. iii. 469 Iago doth giue vp The execution of his wit, hands, heart, To wrong'd Othello's Seruice.
1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea lxi. 144 Griefe and rage..caused me to breake forth into this reprehension and execution following. Great is the Crosse, which Almightie God hath suffered to come vpon me.
1652 E. Benlowes Theophila 21 My Redemption from the Execution of thy Wrath.
c. The executing or carrying into effect (a law, agreement, writ, sentence, etc.). Cf. 7, 8.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > carrying out > [noun] > putting into effect
executionc1380
conducement1552
effecting1581
effectuating1584
effectuation1590
realization1611
effection1652
implementation1926
pragmatization1948
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 37 Bynde men to here wickid lawis & wrong execucions of hem.
1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII c. 10 Fynes..levyed for the execucion and performaunce of the said Indentures.
1635 W. Lambarde & T. Lambarde Archeion (new ed.) 209 The Writ came so late to his hands, that he could not..make execution of it.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxi. 109 To cause those laws to be put in execution.
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes ii. 54 We have God's Precedent in the Execution of that Law to guide us.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. ix. 147 The coward is determined to put the law in execution against me.
1803 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) I. 492 The sentence on this sepoy should be carried into execution.
1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation ii. iv. 181 Commissioners have been appointed to carry the act into execution.
2. † b. An instance of the same; a performance.
a. The effecting or carrying out (a prescribed or designed operation or movement); the production (of a work of art or skill); the vocal or instrumental rendering (of a musical composition); in early use, †the performance (of rites or ceremonies). Hence often, The manner in which an operation, work, piece of music, is ‘executed’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > [noun] > production > of a work of art or skill
execution?c1550
hand1664
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > [noun] > power and skill in
conveyance1572
execution1751
musicianship1829
virtuosity1831
musicality1839
virtuosoship1848
executancy1858
histrionics1931
chops1968
?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 166 After the execution of divine service.
1692 J. Dryden Eleonora Ep. Ded. sig. +2v The Excellency [printed Exccellency] of the Subject contributed much to the Happiness of the Execution.
1713 R. Steele in Guardian 12 Mar. 2/1 This Gentleman is as to the Execution of his Work, a Mechanick.
1751 C. Labelye Descr. Westm. Bridge 16 The two largest Piers were ordered into Execution, of solid Portland Stone.
1751 Chambers's Cycl. (ed. 7) Execution is particularly used in French music, for the manner of singing.
1768 W. Gilpin Ess. Prints 85 His [Rembrandt's] execution is peculiar to himself. It is rough or neat, as he meant a scetch or a finished piece.
1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. ii. iv. 465 A new palace..presenting in the beauty..of its execution one of the noblest monuments of the architecture of the eighteenth century.
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 62/1 The execution of the requisite tools and machinery.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > display of skill > an act or feat of skill
masteryc1225
maistricec1390
feat1564
execution1581
stroke1672
tour de force1802
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxix. 192 How it may..be helpt..I will hereafter in my priuate executions declare.
a1628 J. Preston Breast-plate of Faith (1631) 125 Look to your actions, to your doings, to your executions and performances.
1728 R. Morris Ess. Anc. Archit. 89 Those Executions, which are perform'd conformable to the Practice of the Ancients.
1728 R. Morris Ess. Anc. Archit. 94 Our Moderns, whose Executions are generally standing Monuments to their Shame.
c. Excellence of execution; esp. in the performance of music, mastery of the processes by which the required artistic effect must be produced.
ΚΠ
1795 W. Mason Ess. Eng. Church Music ii. 137 The term Execution is generally applied to that volubility of throat which expresses accurately such divisions.
1807 J. Johnson Oriental Voy. 54 Most of them are taught music..and some have acquired a tolerable degree of execution.
1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XVI xli. 84 The circle..applauds..The tones, the feeling, and the execution.
1842 J. Gwilt Encycl. Archit. i. iii. 176 They [sc. statues] were not equal in execution to those of France.
1854 ‘C. Bede’ Further Adventures Mr. Verdant Green (ed. 2) ix. 79 A firework piece of music, in which execution takes the place of melody.
3. † b. Action, operation. Obsolete.
a. The performance or fulfilment (of an office or function). to put in execution: to execute.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > carrying out > [noun] > of an office or function
execution1576
1576 A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. Ep. Ded. sig. ¶iiij Before, the sense of seeing was delighted..now the sense of feeling beginnes to put in execution his office.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear i. 129 The sway, reuenue, execution of the rest..be yours. View more context for this quotation
1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iv. §15. 401 Papists..are by law interdicted the execution of ministeriall functions.
1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy III. xiv. 297 You will have no obstruction from us in the execution of your duty.
1876 J. H. Newman Hist. Sketches I. iv. i. 344 He gave himself up to..the due execution of his high duties.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > [noun]
workOE
operationa1393
workmanshipc1400
actionc1405
act?a1425
workinga1425
activityc1485
executiona1530
play1548
workfulness1570
inworking1587
acting1605
agency1606
operancea1625
transaction1663
operancyc1811
outworking1846
mediacy1854
functioning1856
a1530 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfeccyon (1531) ii. f. xlixv Whiche yf he had not tasted & put in execucyon, he sholde neuer haue dyed.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 212 Like the Dodoes wings, more to looke at, then for execution.
1684 Scanderbeg Redivivus v. 116 The King had not with him above 4000 men..and of those scarce 1500 came up to Execution.
1729 G. Shelvocke, Jr. tr. K. Siemienowicz Great Art Artillery iv. 295 The best Opportunity you can have for putting these [Poisonous] Balls in Execution, is when the Heavens are clouded over.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > in action
executionc1550
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) 3 Be his magnanyme proues ande martial exsecutione, he delyurit the holy land.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxxviii. xli. 1008 He was a man of much valour and execution.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 213 Lucullus..a captain of great execution lost his life by such a loue potion.
5. concrete.1581 T. Styward Pathwaie to Martiall Discipline i. 45 The heart of the battaile, vsuallie called the slaughter of the field, or execution of the same.
a. Effective action (esp. of weapons); destructive effect, infliction of damage or slaughter. Now almost exclusively in to do execution.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > damage > [noun]
harmOE
tinsela1340
damagec1374
offensiona1382
pairmentc1384
wrongc1384
offencec1385
wrackc1407
lesion?a1425
ruin1467
prejudicec1485
domager1502
qualm1513
jacture1515
imblemishment1529
perishment1540
impeachment1548
blame1549
dommagie1556
execution1581
damagement1603
sufferancea1616
stroy1682
murder1809
punishment1839
1590 J. Smythe Certain Disc. Weapons 4 b Short..daggers are..of greater execution amongst al sorts of armed men.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus ii. iii. 36 An Adder when shee doth vnrowle, To doo some fatall execution . View more context for this quotation
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iv. ii. 83 Let no man but I, Doe execution on my flesh and blood. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. ii. 18 His brandisht Steele, Which smoak'd with bloody execution . View more context for this quotation
1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. xiv. 41 Though the Canons roare loud, yet the execution is not mortall.
a1672 A. Wood Life (1848) 26 The two gallant majors charged the rebells up thro the street, doing execution al the way.
1828 G. W. Bridges Ann. Jamaica II. xviii. 342 The most cruel execution is usually inflicted..on the backs of a..flying enemy.
1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. i. viii. 265 The shot, probably, from the distance of the ships, did no great execution.
b. figurative of the effect of arguments, personal charms, etc.
ΚΠ
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. v. 683 Certain Metaphysical Arguments for a Deity..can do but little Execution upon the Minds of the Generality.
1707 G. Farquhar Beaux Stratagem ii. 15 You are so well dress'd..that I fancy you may do Execution in a Country Church.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. i. 7 Sophia's features were not so striking at first; but often did more certain execution.
1840 W. M. Thackeray Paris Sketch Bk. I. 292 Black eyes, which might have done some execution had they been placed in a smoother face.
6. Law. The due performance of all formalities, as signing, sealing, etc., necessary to give validity to a deed or other legal document.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > rule of law > [noun] > validity or legal force > validation or ratification > formalities of
acknowledgement1585
instrument of ratification1587
solemnity1588
execution1776
1776 Trial Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 17/1 Is the name..at the bottom of the paper, written as a witness to the execution?
1848 J. J. S. Wharton Law Lexicon 236/2 Execution of Deeds, the signing, sealing, and delivery of them by the parties, as their own acts and deeds.
1891 Law Times 90 462/2 One of Wayman's clerks attested Mrs. Headley's execution of the deed.
7.
a. The enforcement by the sheriff, or other officer, of the judgement of a court; ‘the obtaining of actual possession of anything acquired by judgement of law’ (Coke On Litt. (1628) 154 a); chiefly, the seizure of the goods or person of a debtor in default of payment. Also in phrases, (to have) for execution, (to be, take) in execution, to sue, take (forth) execution. writ of execution, or simply execution: the process under which the sheriff or other officer is commanded to execute a judgement. to return an execution: to report the service of the writ. So return of execution.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > sentencing > [noun] > execution of judgement
execution1503
statute execution1766
1292 Britton i. i. §5 A fere nos commaundementz..et les execuciouns de nos jugementz.]
1503–4 Act 19 Hen. VII c. 36 §1 It [shall] be lawefull..to sue execucion..ayenst the seid sir Edward..by write or wryttes of Elegit.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. lvi I do..haue their bodyes in prison for execucyon, tyll they haue payed me my duety.
1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 128/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II No action or sute taking effect..except also executions in law, awarded..before the beginning of the parlement.
1592 W. West Symbolæogr.: 1st Pt. §104 B When he shall thinke it most to him conuenient to sue forth execution upon the said statute marchant.
1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) x. lvi. 250 The Writ of Execution, that her Heading did purport.
1632 P. Massinger & N. Field Fatall Dowry i. sig. C4 Let our executions That lye vpon the father, bee return'd Vpon the sonne.
1632 in S. R. Gardiner Rep. Cases Star Chamber & High Comm. (1886) 128 Did afterwardes take forth execution against the defendant..and the partie was in execution.
1670 R. Graham Angliæ Speculum Morale 30 By the next Term is presented with an Execution, from his Taylor, or Landlord.
1697 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) IV. 315 Two bailifs endeavouring to enter a house..upon an execution.
1725 London Gaz. No. 6404/7 A Prisoner in Execution at Ruthyn Gaol.
1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 447 Unless..the writ of execution is actually delivered to the sheriff.
1807 J. Marshall Writings upon Federal Constit. (1839) 37 One court never awards execution on the judgment of another.
1808 W. Selwyn Abridgem. Law Nisi Prius II. xviii. 673 It may be prudent..to be prepared with an examined copy of the writ of possession and return of execution.
1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. vi. 325 A member having been taken in execution on a private debt before their [sc. Parliament's] meeting.
1875 E. Poste tr. Gaius Institutionum Iuris Civilis (ed. 2) iii. 342 The English process in an ordinary execution is, etc.
b. Hence, in popular language: The actual levy or seizure of goods by a sheriff's officer.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > legal seizure or recovery of property > [noun] > seizing lands or goods > attachment of person or property for debt > seizure by sheriff's officer
execution1780
1780 R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal i. i. 4 I am told he had another execution in his house yesterday.
1840 T. Hood Up Rhine (ed. 2) 233 A..squalid, comfortless room, hardly furnished enough to invite an execution.
1849 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis (1850) I. xx. 191 Coming..with a piteous tale that..there was an execution in their house.
c. Scots Law (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1752 J. Louthian Form of Process (ed. 2) 93 The Letters, with the Executions against the Prisoner.
1752 J. Louthian Form of Process (ed. 2) 130 The Executor returns his Executions against the Criminals in the following manner.
1861 G. Ross W. Bell's Dict. Law Scotl. (rev. ed.) Execution by a Messenger-at-Arms or other officer of the Law..is an attestation under the hand of the messenger [etc.] that he has given the citation, or executed the diligence, in terms of his warrant for so doing.
d. An alleged designation for a company of officers. Obsolete. rare.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΚΠ
1486 Bk. St. Albans F vij a An Execution of Officerys.
8. The infliction of punishment in pursuance of a judicial sentence; an instance of this. (In legal use also more fully criminal execution.)
a. gen. (but chiefly with reference to corporal penalties).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [noun] > action of inflicting
punishingc1375
punition1405
executionc1430
justifying1487
inflictiona1535
animadversion1535
penalization1888
woodshedding1940
c1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 20 Medele þou merci with execusioun.
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Wilful Rebel. iii, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 575 Let us..fear the dreadful execution of God.
1631 Bp. J. Hall Occas. Medit. (ed. 2) (2nd state) §xcii Let others rejoyce in these publique executions.
1640 W. Prynne in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll.: Third Pt. (1692) I. 76 The small Remainder of his Ears, left after his first Execution.
1827 A. W. Fonblanque Eng. under Seven Admin. (1837) I. 81 In..military executions, a medical man stands by and sees what the sufferer under the scourge can bear.
1848 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. (ed. 3) I. 489 After the execution Dangerfield..was taken back to prison.
b. spec. The infliction of capital punishment; the putting (a person) to death in pursuance of a judicial or authoritative sentence. Also called †execution of death.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > [noun] > infliction of
justice?a1160
executionc1360
axe1450
justifying1487
c1360 Song of Mercy 37 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 119 Riht wolde sle vs. for vr sunne. Miht wol don execucion.
1471 in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS Comm. App. Pt. IV: MSS Duke of Rutland (1888) I. 4 in Parl. Papers (C. 5614) LXIV. 1 Edmund late Duc of Somerset taken and put to execucion.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xvi. 366 Maye ye doo execusion vpon hym.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. xxxvii. f. xiiiiv To be put to dethe..by heddynge, fleynge, brennynge, & other cruell Execucyons.
1517 R. Torkington Oldest Diarie Englysshe Trav. (1884) 69 To be put to execucion of Dethe by and bye.
1536 Sir W. Kingston in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. i. 122 II. 63 I have told my lord of Rocheford that he be in aredynes to morow to suffur execusyon.
1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars (1852) 25 Thys yere the commons of Cornwall arose..The captayns tane and put to excecucione.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. iv. 1 Is execution done on Cawdor? View more context for this quotation
1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iv. viii. 385 Disgrace, Torture, Execution of death..and other externall crosses like unto these.
1672 H. Dodwell Two Lett. Advice i. xiii. 49 The stakes and gridirons, and other the most terrible executions.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. v. 87 To see an Execution..of a Man who had murdered.
1880 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times IV. liii. 147 The execution of these men did not even tend to prevent crime.
9. ‘The ravaging and destroying of a country that refuses to pay contribution’ (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 1867). Also military execution. [After French exécution.]
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > sacking, raiding, or looting > [noun] > of a country refusing contribution
executiona1625
a1625 J. Fletcher Loyal Subj. v. v, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Fff4 v/2 You know his marches, You have seene his executions: Is it yet peace?
1689 London Gaz. No. 2423/3 To put the Dutchies..under Military Execution, in case they do not pay, etc.
Compounds
C1. General attributive (chiefly in sense 8).
execution man n.
ΚΠ
c1575 T. Preston Cambyses in W. C. Hazlitt Dodsley's Sel. Coll. Old Eng. Plays (1874) IV. 200 Good execution-man, for need Help me with him away.
execution Monday n.
ΚΠ
1891 W. J. Loftie London City 125 A Sunday always elapsed between ‘Trial Friday’ and ‘Execution Monday’.
execution part n.
ΚΠ
1710 J. Norris Treat. Christian Prudence ii. 96 Policy agrees with Prudence, as to the Execution part, the use of fit or effectual means.
execution place n.
ΚΠ
1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. N2v To the execution place was he brought.
C2.
execution-day n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Execution-day, Washing-day.
Execution-Dock n. the dock (at Wapping) where criminal sailors were executed.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > [noun] > place of > specific sites
no man's landc1350
St Thomas (a, also of) Watering(s)c1405
gemonies1598
Execution-Dock1694
barathrum1849
1694 N. Luttrell Diary 1 Mar. in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) III. 277 Some of the persons convicted lately for pyracy will be hanged at Execution Dock on Saturday next.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island vi. xxix. 241 It's..mighty like a hornpipe in a rope's end at Execution Dock by London town.
Derivatives
exeˈcution v. Obsolete = execute v. 6.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > execute [verb (transitive)]
slayc1175
to put to deatha1450
to hang, draw, and quarter1465
strikec1480
execute1483
justify1531
execution1565
scaffold1716
to have or get one's gruel1797
1565 T. Stapleton tr. Bede Hist. Church Eng. i. vii. f. 18 The executioner..desired..that he might be executioned ether for him or with him.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.c1360