Guillotine

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɡɪlÉ™tiːn/ or IPA: /ˈɡiː.É™tiːn/

Origin

From French guillotine, after Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, who proposed its use for capital punishment.

Full definition of guillotine

Noun

1. A machine used for the application of capital punishment by decapitation, consisting of a tall upright frame from which is suspended a heavy diagonal-edged blade.
2. A device used for cutting stacks of paper to straight edges, usually by means of a hinged blade attached to a flat platform.
3. A cloture; a motion that debate be ended and a vote taken.

Verb

1. (transitive) To execute, cut or cut short (a person, a stack of paper or a debate) by use of a guillotine.