Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Execution

Exˊe-cu′tion

,
Noun.
[F.
exécution
, L.
executio
,
exsecutio
.]
1.
The act of executing; a carrying into effect or to completion; performance; achievement; consummation;
as, the
execution
of a plan, a work, etc.
The excellence of the subject contributed much to the happiness of the
execution
.
Dryden.
2.
A putting to death as a legal penalty; death lawfully inflicted;
as, the
execution
of a murderer; to grant a stay of
execution
.
A warrant for his
execution
.
Shakespeare
3.
The act of the mode of performing a work of art, of performing on an instrument, of engraving, etc.;
as, the
execution
of a statue, painting, or piece of music
.
The first quality of
execution
is truth.
Ruskin.
5.
(Law)
(a)
The carrying into effect the judgment given in a court of law.
(b)
A judicial writ by which an officer is empowered to carry a judgment into effect; final process.
(c)
The act of signing, and delivering a legal instrument, or giving it the forms required to render it valid;
as, the
execution
of a deed, or a will
.
6.
That which is executed or accomplished; effect; effective work; – usually with do.
To do some fatal
execution
.
Shakespeare
7.
The act of sacking a town.
[Obs.]
Beau. & FL.

Webster 1828 Edition


Execution

EXECU'TION

,
Noun.
Performance; the act of completing or accomplishing.
The excellence of the subject contributed much to the happiness of the execution.
1.
In law, the carrying into effect a sentence or judgment of court; the last act of the law in completing the process by which justice is to be done, by which the possession of land or debt, damages or cost, is obtained, or by which judicial punishment is inflicted.
2.
The instrument, warrant or official order, by which an officer is empowered to carry a judgment into effect. An execution issues from the clerk of a court, and is levied by a sheriff, his deputy or a constable, on the estate, goods or body of the debtor.
3.
The act of signing and sealing a legal instrument, or giving it the forms required to render it a valid act; as the execution of a deed.
4.
The last act of the law in the punishment of criminals; capital punishment; death inflicted according to the forms of law.
5.
Effect; something done or accomplished.
Every shot did execution.
6.
Destruction; slaughter.
It is used after do, to do execution; never after make.
7.
Performance, as in music or other art.

Definition 2024


execution

execution

See also: exécution

English

Noun

execution (plural executions)

  1. The act, manner or style of executing (actions, maneuvers, performances).
    • 1885, John Ormsby, chapter 1, in Don QuixoteWikisource, volume 1, translation of original by Miguel de Cervantes:
      Already the poor man saw himself crowned by the might of his arm Emperor of Trebizond at least; and so, led away by the intense enjoyment he found in these pleasant fancies, he set himself forthwith to put his scheme into execution.
  2. The state of being executed (accomplished).
    The battle plan was successfully executed.
  3. The act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated.
  4. (law) The carrying into effect of a court judgment, or of a will.
  5. (law) The formal process by which a contract is made valid and put into binding effect.
  6. (computing) The carrying out of an instruction, program or program segment by a computer.
    The entire machine slowed down during the execution of the virus checker.
    Whenever the matrix inversion function executed the program crashed.

Derived terms

Related terms

Hyponyms

Translations


Middle French

Etymology

From Latin execūtiō, an agent noun from exsequor (follow out), itself from ex + sequor (follow).

Noun

execution f (plural executions)

  1. execution (act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated)

Descendants


Old French

Etymology

From Latin execūtiō, an agent noun from exsequor (follow out), itself from ex + sequor (follow).

Noun

execution f (oblique plural executions, nominative singular execution, nominative plural executions)

  1. execution (act of putting to death or being put to death as a penalty, or actions so associated)

Descendants