Execution. World English Historical Dictionary

Execution. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1897, rev. 2025. Execution Forms: 4 execucoun, 4–6 execucion, -cioun, -cyon, 4–7 -sio(u)n, -syon, 5 excecussyon, 6 executyon, excecucione, (exicucyon), Sc. exsecutione, (7 exequition), 6– execution. [ME. execucion, a. AF. execucioun, F. exécution, ad. L. execūtiōn-em, exsecūtiōn-em, n. of action f. ex(s)equī: see EXECUTE v.] The action of executing; the state or fact of being executed.

1   1.  The action of carrying into effect (a plan, design, purpose, command, decree, task, etc.); accomplishment; an instance of this. Also, To carry, † order, put in or into execution.

2 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, III. 472. He … Had every thing … put in Execucion.

3 1388.  Wyclif, 1 Esdras vi. 13 [vii. 1]. Therfor Tathannai … and hise counseleris, diden execucioun … bi that that kyng Darius hadde comaundid.

4 1494.  Fabyan, Chron., I. i. 7. In all olde Storyes … is nat founde … that any suche Storye … was put in execucion.

5 1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., I. iii. 36. I like thy counsaile … and … how well I like it, The execution of it shall make knowne.

6 1651.  Nicholas Papers (Camden), 259. He beggs me to further the execusion of the Kings comission.

7 1707.  Freind, Peterborow’s Cond. Sp., 208. To such extraordinary Thoughts, and such diligent Executions, were owing all our successes in Spain.

8 1772.  Johnson, Let. Mrs. Thrale, 29 Oct. His intention and execution are not very near each other.

9 1810.  Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., V. 507. The mode in which directions given to the Portuguese authorities are carried into execution.

10 1863.  Fr. A. Kemble, Resid. in Georgia, 109. I then and there determined to put into execution a plan I had formed.

11 1872.  Morley, Voltaire (1886), 11. There are … eras of counsel and eras of execution.

12   † b.  The giving practical effect to (a passion, sentiment or principle); exercise (of powers); manifestation in act (rarely, in speech). Obs.

13 1581.  Marbeck, Bk. of Notes, 780. Workes … are rather the executions and the ministring of righteousnesse.

14 1586.  T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. (1594), 17. He may … represse them [his wicked inclinations] … that they breake not out into any damnable execution.

15 1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., II. ii. 111. Scarse I can refraine The execution of my big-swolne heart Vpon that Clifford. Ibid. (1604), Oth., III. iii. Iago doth giue vp The execution of his wit, hands, heart, To wrong’d Othello’s Seruice. 466. Ibid. (1606), Tr. & Cr., I. iii. 210. Reason guide his execution.

16 1622.  R. Hawkins, Voy. S. Sea (1847), 208. Griefe and rage … caused me to breake forth into this reprehension and execution following—‘Great is the crosse’ [etc.].

17 1652.  Benlowes, Theoph., Pref. 21. My redemption from the execution of thy wrath.

18   c.  The executing or carrying into effect (a law, agreement, writ, sentence, etc.). Cf. 7, 8.

19 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 37. Bynde men to here wickid lawis & wrong execucions of hem.

20 1512.  Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 10. Fynes … levyed for the execucion and performaunce of the said Indentures.

21 1591.  Lambarde, Archeion (1635), 209. That the Writ came so late to his hands, that he could not, for want of time, make execution of it.

22 1651.  Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxi. 109. To cause those laws to be put in execution.

23 1710.  Prideaux, Orig. Tithes, ii. 54. We have God’s Precedent in the Execution of that Law to guide us.

24 1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., xxviii. The coward is determined to put the law in execution against me.

25 1803.  Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., I. 492. The sentence on this sepoy should be carried into execution.

26 1845.  McCulloch, Taxation, II. iv. (1852), 185. Commissioners have been appointed to carry the act into execution.

27   2.  The effecting or carrying out (a prescribed or designed operation or movement); the production (of a work of art or skill); the vocal or instrumental rendering (of a musical composition); in early use, † the performance (of rites or ceremonies). Hence often, The manner in which an operation, work, piece of music, is ‘executed.’

28 c. 1534.  trans. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden), I. 166. After the execution of divine service.

29 1692.  Dryden, Eleonora, Ded. (J.). The Excellency of the Subject contributed much to the Happiness of the Execution.

30 1713.  Guardian, No. 1, ¶ 3. This gentleman is, as to the execution of his work, a Mechanick.

31 1751.  Labelye, Westm. Br., 16. The two largest Piers were ordered into Execution, of solid Portland Stone.

32 1751.  Chambers, Cycl., Execution is particularly used in French music, for the manner of singing.

33 1768.  W. Gilpin, Ess. Prints (ed. 2), 84. His [Rembrandt’s] execution is peculiar to himself. It is rough, or neat, as he meant a sketch, or a finished piece; but always free and masterly.

34 1855.  Prescott, Philip II., II. iv. (1857), 243. A new palace … presenting in the beauty … of its execution one of the noblest monuments of the architecture of the eighteenth century.

35 1879.  Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 62/1. The execution of the requisite tools and machinery.

36   † b.  An instance of the same; a performance.

37 1581.  Mulcaster, Positions, xxxix. (1887), 191. How it may … be helpt … I will hereafter in my private executions declare.

38 a. 1628.  Preston, Breastpl. Love (1631), 125. Look to your actions, to your doings, to your executions and performances.

39 1728.  R. Morris, Ess. Anc. Archit., 89. Those Executions, which are perform’d conformable to the Practice of the Ancients. Ibid., 94. Our Moderns, whose Executions are generally standing Monuments to their Shame.

40   c.  Excellence of execution; esp. in the performance of music, mastery of the processes by which the required artistic effect must be produced.

41 1795.  Mason, Ch. Mus., ii. 137. The term Execution is generally applied to that volubility of throat which expresses accurately such divisions.

42 1807.  Jas. Johnson, Orient. Voy., 54. Most of them are taught music … and some have acquired a tolerable degree of execution.

43 1824.  Byron, Juan, XVI. xli. The circle … applauds … The lines, the feeling, and the execution.

44 1842–76.  Gwilt, Archit., 176. They [statues] were not equal in execution to those of France.

45 1854.  E. Bradley (C. Bede), Verdant Green, II. ix. A firework piece of Music, in which execution takes the place of melody.

46   3.  The performance or fulfilment (of an office or function). To put in execution: to execute.

47 1576.  Fleming, Panopl. Epist., Q iv. Before, the sense of seeing was delighted … now the sense of feeling beginnes to put in execution his office.

48 1605.  Shaks., Lear, I. i. 139. The Sway, Reuennew, Execution of the rest, Beloued Sonnes be yours.

49 1631.  Gouge, God’s Arrows, IV. § 15. 401. Papists … are by law interdicted the execution of ministeriall functions.

50 1836.  Marryat, Midsh. Easy, xxxix. 269. You will have no obstruction from us in the execution of your duty.

51 1876.  J. H. Newman, Hist. Sk., I. IV. i. 344. He gave himself up to the peculiar studies necessary for the due execution of his high duties.

52   † b.  Action, operation. Obs.

53 1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 49 b. Whiche yf he had not tasted and put in execucyon, he sholde neuer haue dyed.

54 1634.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 212. Her finnes so little that they are like the Dodoes wings, more to looke at, then for execution.

55 1684.  Scanderbeg Rediv., v. 116. The King had not with him above 4000 men … and of those scarce 1500 came up to Execution.

56 1729.  Shelvocke, Artillery, IV. 295. The best Opportunity you can have for putting these [Poisonous] Balls in Execution, is when the Heavens are clouded over.

57   † 4.  Efficiency in action, executive ability. Obs.

58 1549.  Compl. Scot., Ded. 4. Be his magnanyme proues ande martial exsecutione, he delyurit the holy land.

59 1600.  Holland, Livy, XXXVIII. xli. 1008. He was a man of much valour and execution. Ibid. (1601), Pliny, II. 213. Lucullus … a captain of great execution lost his life by such a loue potion.

60   5.  Effective action (esp. of weapons); destructive effect, infliction of damage or slaughter. Now almost exclusively in phr. to do execution.

61 1588.  Shaks., Tit. A., II. iii. 36. An Adder when she doth vnrowle To do some fatall execution? Ibid., IV. ii. 84. Then let no man but I Doe execution on my flesh and blood. Ibid. (1605), Macb., I. ii. 18. His brandisht Steele, Which smoak’d with bloody execution.

62 1590.  Sir J. Smythe, Disc. Weapons, 4 b. Short … daggers are … of greater execution amongst al sorts of armed men.

63 1649.  Selden, Laws Eng., I. xiv. (1739), 26. Though the Canons roar loud, yet the execution is not mortal.

64 a. 1672.  Wood, Life (1848), 26. The two gallant majors charged the rebells up thro the street, doing execution al the way.

65 1828.  G. W. Bridges, Ann. Jamaica, II. xviii. 342. The most cruel execution is usually inflicted … on the backs of a … flying enemy.

66 1855.  Prescott, Philip II., I. viii. (1857), 137. The shot, probably from the distance of the ships, did no great execution.

67   concr.  1581.  Styward, Mart. Discipl., I. 45. The heart of the battaile, vsuallie called the slaughter of the field, or execution of the same.

68   b.  fig. of the effect of arguments, personal charms, etc.

69 1678.  Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 683. Certain Metaphysical Arguments for a Deity … can do but little Execution upon the Minds of the Generality.

70 1707.  Farquhar, Beaux Strat., II. ii. You are so well dress’d … that I fancy you may do Execution in a Country church.

71 1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., i. Sophia’s features were not so striking at first, but often did more certain execution.

72 1840.  Thackeray, Paris Sk.-bk., Beatrice Merger, 1. Black eyes, which might have done some execution had they been placed in a smoother face.

73   6.  Law. The due performance of all formalities, as signing, sealing, etc., necessary to give validity to a deed or other legal document.

74 1776.  Trial of Nundocomar, 17/1. Is the name … at the bottom of the paper, written as a witness to the execution?

75 1848.  Wharton, Law Lex., Execution of Deeds, the signing, sealing, and delivery of them by the parties, as their own acts and deeds.

76 1891.  Law Times, XC. 462/2. One of Wayman’s clerks attested Mrs. Headley’s execution of the deed.

77   7.  The enforcement by the sheriff, or other officer, of the judgment of a court; ‘the obtaining of actual possession of anything acquired by judgement of law’ (Coke, On Litt. (1628), 154 a); chiefly, the seizure of the goods or person of a debtor in default of payment. Also in phrases, (To have) for execution, (to be, take) in execution, to sue, take (forth) execution.

78   Writ of execution, or simply Execution: the process under which the sheriff or other officer is commanded to execute a judgment. To return an execution: to report the service of the writ. So return of execution.

79 [1292.  Britton, I. i. § 5. A fere nos commaundementz … et les execuciouns de nos jugementz.]

80 1503–4.  Act 19 Hen. VII., c. 36 § 1. It [shall] be lawefull … to sue execucion … ayenst the seid sir Edward … by write or wryttes of Elegit.

81 1523.  Fitzherb., Husb., § 157. I doo … haue theyr bodyes in prisone for execution, tylle they haue made me payment.

82 1586.  J. Hooker, Girald. Irel., in Holinshed, II. 128/1. No action or sute taking effect … except also executions in law, awarded … before the beginning of the parlement.

83 1592.  West, 1st Pt. Symbol., § 104 B. When he shall think it most to him conuenient to sue forth execution … of the said statut Marchant.

84 1597.  Warner, Alb. Eng., X. lvi. The Writ of Execution, that her Heading did purport.

85 1632.  Massinger & Field, Fatal Dowry, I. ii. Let our executions That lie upon the father be returned Upon the son.

86 1632.  Star Chamb. Cases (Camden), 128. Did afterwardes take forth execution against the defendant … and the partie was in execution.

87 1670.  Moral State Eng., 30. By the next Term is presented with an Execution, from his Taylor, or Landlord.

88 1697.  Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), IV. 315. Two bailifs endeavouring to enter a house … upon an execution.

89 1725.  Lond. Gaz., No. 6404/7. A Prisoner in Execution at Ruthyn Gaol.

90 1767.  Blackstone, Comm., II. 447. Unless … the writ of execution is actually delivered to the sheriff.

91 1807.  J. Marshall, Const. Opin. (1839), 37. One court never awards execution on the judgment of another.

92 1817.  W. Selwyn, Law Nisi Prius, II. 722. It may be prudent … to be prepared with an examined copy of the writ of possession and return of execution.

93 1827.  Hallam, Const. Hist. (1876), I. vi. 302. A member having been taken in execution on a private debt before their [Parliament’s] meeting.

94 1875.  Poste, Gaius, III. (ed. 2), 342. The English process in an ordinary execution is [etc.].

95   b.  Hence, in popular language: The actual levy or seizure of goods by a sheriff’s officer.

96 1777.  Sheridan, Sch. Scand., I. i. I am told he has had another execution in the house yesterday.

97 1840.  Hood, Up the Rhine, 233. A … squalid, comfortless room, hardly furnished enough to invite an execution.

98 1849.  Thackeray, Pendennis, xix. Coming … with a piteous tale that … there was an execution in their house.

99   c.  Scots Law (see quot.).

100 1752.  J. Louthian, Form of Process, 93. The Letters, with the Executions against the Prisoner. Ibid., 130. The Executor returns his Executions against the Criminals in the following manner.

101 1861.  W. Bell, Dict. Law Scot., Execution by a Messenger-at-Arms or other Officer of the Law … is an attestation under the hand of the messenger or other officer, that he has given the citation, or executed the diligence, in terms of his warrant for so doing.

102   ¶ d.  An alleged designation for a company of officers. Obs.–0

103 1486.  Bk. St. Albans, F vij a. An Execution of Officerys.

104   8.  The infliction of punishment in pursuance of a judicial sentence; an instance of this. (In legal use also more fully criminal execution.)

105   a.  gen. (but chiefly with reference to corporal penalties).

106 c. 1430.  Hymns Virg. (1867), 20. Medele þou merci with execusioun.

107 1563.  Homilies, II. Wilful Rebel., III. (1859), 575. Let us … fear the dreadful execution of God.

108 1640.  W. Prynne, Petit., in Rushw., Hist. Coll., III. I. 76. The small Remainder of his Ears, left after his first Execution.

109 a. 1656.  Bp. Hall, Occas. Medit. (1851), 105. Let others rejoice, in these public executions.

110 1827.  A. Fonblanque, Eng. under 7 Administr. (1837), I. 81. In … military executions, a medical man stands by and sees what the sufferer under the scourge can bear.

111 1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng. (ed. 3), I. 489. After the execution Dangerfield … was taken back to prison.

112   b.  spec. The infliction of capital punishment; the putting (a person) to death in pursuance of a judicial or authoritative sentence. Also called † execution of death.

113 c. 1360.  Song of Mercy, 37, in E. E. P. (1862), 119. Riht wolde sle vs. for vr sunne. Miht wol don execucion.

114 1471.  Dk. Clarence, in 12th Rep. Comm. Hist. MSS., App. IV. I. 4. Edmund late Duc of Somerset taken and put to execucion.

115 c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xvi. 366. Maye ye doo execusion vpon hym.

116 1494.  Fabyan, Chron., II. xxxvii. 27. To be put to dethe … by heddyng, fleyng, brennynge, and other Cruel Execucions.

117 1517.  Torkington, Pilgr. (1884), 69. To be put to execucion of Dethe by and bye.

118 1536.  Sir W. Kingston, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., I. 122, II. 63. I have told my lord of Rocheford that he be in aredynes to morow to suffur execusyon.

119 1556.  Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden), 25. Thys yere the commons of Cornwall arose … The captayns tane and put to excecucione.

120 1605.  Shaks., Macb., I. iv. 1. Is execution done on Cawdor?

121 1631.  Gouge, God’s Arrows, IV. viii. 385. Disgrace, Torture, Execution of death … and other externall crosses like unto these.

122 1680.  H. Dodwell, 2 Lett. of Advice (1691), 39. The stakes and gridirons, and other the most terrible executions.

123 1726.  Swift, Gulliver, I. II. v. 87. To see an Execution. It was of a Man who had murdered.

124 1880.  McCarthy, Own Times, IV. liii. 147. The execution of these men did not even tend to prevent crime.

125   9.  ‘The ravaging and destroying of a country that refuses to pay contribution’ (Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., 1867). Also military execution. [After Fr. exécution.]

126 1618.  Fletcher, Loyall Subj., V. vi. Wks. 1647, 48/2. You know his marches, You have seene his executions: is it yet peace?

127 1689.  Lond. Gaz., No. 2423/3. To put the Dutchies … under Military Execution, in case they do not pay [etc.].

128   10.  attrib. and Comb. (chiefly in sense 8), as execution man, Monday, part, place, etc.; execution-day (see quot.); Execution-Dock, the dock (at Wapping) where criminal sailors were executed.

129 a. 1700.  B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, *Execution-day, Washing-day.

130 1694.  Luttrell, Brief Rel., 1 March (1857), III. 277. Some of the persons convicted lately for pyracy will be hanged at *Execution Dock on Saturday next.

131 1883.  Stevenson, Treasure Isl., xxix. (1886), 211. It … looks mighty like a hornpipe in a rope’s end at Execution Dock by London town.

132 c. 1575.  Cambyses, in Hazl., Dodsley, IV. 200. Good *execution-man, for need Help me with him away.

133 1891.  W. J. Loftie, Lond. City, 125. A Sunday always elapsed between ‘Trial Friday’ and *‘Execution Monday.’

134 1710.  Norris, Chr. Prud., ii. 96. Policy agrees with Prudence, as to the *Execution part, the use of fit or effectual means.

135 1594.  Nashe, Unfort. Trav., Wks. 1883–4, V. 168. To the *execution place was he brought.

136   Hence Execution v. Obs., = EXECUTE v. 6.

137 1565.  T. Stapleton, trans. Bede’s Hist. Ch. Eng., 18. The executioner … desired … that he might be executioned, ether for him or with him.

138 © 2025 WEHD.com