guillotine
/ˈɡiː.ə.tiːn/ · noun
Meaning
- 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.
- A device used for cutting stacks of paper to straight edges, usually by means of a hinged blade attached to a flat platform.
- A cloture; a motion that debate be ended and a vote taken.
- A surgical instrument for cutting the tonsils.
- To execute, cut or cut short (a person, a stack of paper or a debate) by use of a guillotine.
- To end discussion on a parliamentary bill by invoking cloture.
Etymology / origin
No prose etymology has been added yet.
No ancestor words have been linked yet.
Related words
Descendant words
No descendant words have been linked yet.