Executor: meaning, definitions and examples

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executor

[ɪɡˈzɛkjʊtər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

legal term

A person appointed by a testator to carry out the terms of their will.

Synonyms

administrator, personal representative.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
executor	This term is typically used in the context of legal and estate matters, referring to a person appointed to execute the will of a deceased person. As the executor of my father's estate, it was my responsibility to distribute his assets according to his will. The executor must ensure that all debts and taxes are paid before distributing the inheritance.
administrator	This term can be used more broadly to refer to someone responsible for managing and implementing policies, especially in business, education, or technology. The school administrator is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the school. She worked as an IT administrator, managing the company's computer systems and networks.
personal representative	This is a legal term that includes both executors and administrators, who are responsible for managing the estate of a deceased person. It's used more commonly in some legal contexts to cover both roles. As a personal representative, you need to handle all the legal affairs related to the estate. The court appointed him as the personal representative to manage his late wife's estate.

Word

Description / Examples

executor

This term is typically used in the context of legal and estate matters, referring to a person appointed to execute the will of a deceased person.

As the executor of my father's estate, it was my responsibility to distribute his assets according to his will.
The executor must ensure that all debts and taxes are paid before distributing the inheritance.

administrator

This term can be used more broadly to refer to someone responsible for managing and implementing policies, especially in business, education, or technology.

The school administrator is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the school.
She worked as an IT administrator, managing the company's computer systems and networks.

personal representative

This is a legal term that includes both executors and administrators, who are responsible for managing the estate of a deceased person. It's used more commonly in some legal contexts to cover both roles.

As a personal representative, you need to handle all the legal affairs related to the estate.
The court appointed him as the personal representative to manage his late wife's estate.

Examples of usage

He was named as the executor in his grandmother's will.
The executor is responsible for distributing the assets of the estate.
The executor must ensure that all debts are paid before distributing the inheritance.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

computing

A program that runs the instructions written in a high-level programming language.

Synonyms

compiler, interpreter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
executor	Primarily used in legal or estate planning contexts, an 'executor' is a person appointed to carry out the terms of a will or to manage the estate of someone who has passed away. The executor of the will ensured that all debts were paid and the remaining assets were distributed to the beneficiaries. After her uncle's death, she was named executor of his estate.
interpreter	An 'interpreter' in computing is a program that directly executes instructions written in a programming or scripting language without requiring them to be compiled into machine language. In the context of languages, an 'interpreter' is someone who translates spoken words from one language to another. Python uses an interpreter to execute code, which makes it easier to test and debug scripts. The interpreter helped facilitate the conversation between the French and English speakers at the conference.
compiler	In software development, a 'compiler' refers to a program that translates code written in a high-level programming language into machine code that a computer can execute. The compiler generated an executable file from the source code. Errors during compilation indicate that the compiler could not translate the code due to syntax issues.

Word

Description / Examples

executor

Primarily used in legal or estate planning contexts, an 'executor' is a person appointed to carry out the terms of a will or to manage the estate of someone who has passed away.

The executor of the will ensured that all debts were paid and the remaining assets were distributed to the beneficiaries.
After her uncle's death, she was named executor of his estate.

interpreter

An 'interpreter' in computing is a program that directly executes instructions written in a programming or scripting language without requiring them to be compiled into machine language. In the context of languages, an 'interpreter' is someone who translates spoken words from one language to another.

Python uses an interpreter to execute code, which makes it easier to test and debug scripts.
The interpreter helped facilitate the conversation between the French and English speakers at the conference.

compiler

In software development, a 'compiler' refers to a program that translates code written in a high-level programming language into machine code that a computer can execute.

The compiler generated an executable file from the source code.
Errors during compilation indicate that the compiler could not translate the code due to syntax issues.

Examples of usage

The Python interpreter is an example of an executor.
The executor converts the code into machine language for the computer to execute.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the Latin word 'exsequi', meaning to follow up or carry out.
Its use in English has evolved since the 15th century, originally relating to performing a legal document.
The prefix 'ex-' means 'out of' or 'from', while 'sequi' means 'to follow', indicating someone who fulfills orders.

Legal Aspects

In many jurisdictions, an executor must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind.
Executors can be named in a will or appointed by a court if no one is specified.
They are legally responsible for ensuring the deceased's debts are paid before distributing remaining assets.

Pop Culture

Depictions of executors in films often show them battling family drama over the deceased's estate.
Popular TV shows sometimes feature plots where an unexpected will changes everything for the characters involved.
The role of an executor can be dramatized as either a burden or an opportunity, depending on the plot.

Psychology

Handling the role can often elicit feelings of stress and responsibility due to the emotional ties to the deceased.
The decisions made by executors can affect family dynamics, sometimes leading to disputes or closer bonds.
Serving as an executor may require individuals to confront their own beliefs about mortality and legacy.

Historical Context

Executor roles can be traced back to ancient Roman law, which outlined methods for managing estates.
In medieval Europe, the executor was often a local lord or clergy, showing the connection between authority and estate management.
The concept has evolved alongside changes in society and legal systems, adapting to contemporary needs.

Translations

Translations of the word "executor" in other languages:

🇵🇹 executor

realizador
executor de tarefas

🇮🇳 क्रियान्वयनकर्ता

निष्पादक
कार्यान्वयनकर्ता

🇩🇪 Ausführer

Vollstrecker
Ausführender

🇮🇩 pelaksana

eksekutor
pengeksekusi

🇺🇦 виконавець

🇵🇱 wykonawca

egzekutor
realizator

🇯🇵 実行者 (じっこうしゃ)

執行者 (しっこうしゃ)
実行役 (じっこうやく)

🇫🇷 exécuteur

réalisateur
exécutant

🇪🇸 ejecutor

realizador
ejecutante

🇹🇷 uygulayıcı

icra eden
yürütücü

🇰🇷 실행자 (실행자)

집행자 (집행자)
실행 담당자 (실행 담당자)

🇸🇦 منفذ

مجري
منفذ المهام

🇨🇿 vykonavatel

exekutor
realizátor

🇸🇰 vykonávateľ

exekútor
realizátor

🇨🇳 执行者 (执行者)

执行官 (执行官)
执行员 (执行员)

🇸🇮 izvršitelj

realizator
izvajalec

🇮🇸 framkvæmdaraðili

fullnustuaðili
framkvæmdarstjóri

🇰🇿 орындаушы

атқарушы
жүзеге асырушы

🇬🇪 აღმსრულებელი

რეალიზატორი
ამოცანის შემსრულებელი

🇦🇿 icraçı

yerinə yetirən
icra edən

🇲🇽 ejecutor

realizador
ejecutante

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,997 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
6994 communicating
6995 importantly
6996 aerial
6997 executor
6998 prudent
6999 nationalism
7000 confinement
...