Guillotine

Pronunciation: /ˈɡɪlətiːn/

Definitions of guillotine

noun a machine with a heavy blade sliding vertically in grooves, used for beheading people.

Example Sentences

A1 The guillotine was a device used for executions in the past.

A2 The guillotine was a common method of execution during the French Revolution.

B1 The guillotine was a symbol of the Reign of Terror in France.

B2 The guillotine was a gruesome but effective tool for carrying out capital punishment.

C1 The guillotine was a controversial method of execution that sparked debates on ethics and human rights.

C2 The guillotine was a macabre invention that forever changed the history of capital punishment.

Examples of guillotine in a Sentence

formal The guillotine was used for executions during the French Revolution.

informal They say the guillotine was a pretty brutal way to go.

slang I heard they nicknamed the guillotine 'The Widow Maker'.

figurative In the world of politics, a scandal can be like a guillotine for a politician's career.

Grammatical Forms of guillotine

• past tense: guillotined
• plural: guillotines
• comparative: more guillotine
• superlative: most guillotine
• present tense: guillotines
• future tense: will guillotine
• perfect tense: has guillotined
• continuous tense: is guillotining
• singular: guillotine
• positive degree: guillotine
• infinitive: to guillotine
• gerund: guillotining
• participle: guillotined

Origin and Evolution of guillotine

First Known Use: 1791 year

Language of Origin: French

Story behind the word: The word 'guillotine' originates from the French Revolution and is named after Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, a French physician and politician who proposed its use for capital punishment.

Evolution of the word: Originally used specifically to refer to the device used for beheading, the term 'guillotine' has evolved to also be used metaphorically to describe any swift or decisive action or judgment.