Electrocution

Origin

electrocute + -ion

Full definition of electrocution

Noun

1. The accidental death or suicide by electric shock.
2. Deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair.
3. (informal, deprecated) A severe electric shock, whether fatal or not.

Usage notes

Formally, the words electrocution and electrocute imply fatality. Informally, however, these terms are sometimes used to refer to serious but nonfatal electric shocks. Preferred usage is to normally reserve electrocution for fatal electric shocks, and to use shock or electric shock for nonfatal ones.