Hypertext Webster Gateway: "guillotine"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Guillotine \Guil"lo*tine`\ (g[i^]l"l[-o]*t[=e]n`), n. [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.]
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Guillotine \Guil"lo*tine`\ (g[i^]l`l[-o]*t[=e]n"), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. {Guillotined}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Guillotining}.] [Cf. F.
guillotiner.]
To behead with the guillotine.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
guillotine
n 1: closure imposed on the debate of specific sections of a
bill [syn: {closure by compartment}]
2: instrument of execution that consists of a weighted blade
between two vertical poles; used for beheading people
v : kill by cutting the head off with a guillotine; "The French
guillotined many Vietnamese while they occupied the
country"
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