Garoted Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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garoted

[ษกษ™หˆrษ’t ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

crime method

To garrote someone means to kill them by strangulation, especially using a wire or cord. This method has historical roots and has been associated with various forms of execution. It typically involves tightening a wire or a cord around the neck of the victim until they suffocate or die from the pressure. The term can also be used in a metaphorical sense to describe constricting or suppressing something. It's often portrayed in crime dramas and literature.

Synonyms

choke, strangle, suffocate.

Examples of usage

  • The detective found evidence suggesting the victim was garoted.
  • In the story, the antagonist used a garrote to eliminate his enemies.
  • The method of garoting is depicted in many historical novels.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Historical Context

  • Garotes were used during the Spanish Inquisition as a method of execution and torture.
  • In more recent history, the technique has often been associated with covert killings in various crime-related contexts.
  • The use of the garrote changed significantly throughout history, from a formal execution method to a means of assassination.

Pop Culture

  • In many crime novels and films, the act of garoting is depicted as a stealthy, often sinister method of murder, creating tension and suspense.
  • The technique is sometimes referenced in video games as a stealth kill method, emphasizing its covert nature.
  • Several songs and artworks allude to crime or silence, sometimes symbolically using garrote as a metaphor for oppressive control.

Science and Forensics

  • Forensic science often studies cases involving garoting as it leaves specific marks that can be analyzed in crime investigations.
  • Circumstantial evidence, such as the presence of a strangulation mark, can help forensic experts determine the cause of death in suspicious cases.
  • Garrote techniques vary based on the materials used, affecting the lethality and forensic trace left behind.

Origin of 'garoted'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Spanish 'garrote', which refers to a type of execution device that uses a cord.
  • This term was historically related to a method of execution commonly used in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries in the past.
  • Over time, 'garrotte' in English evolved to describe both the act and the tools used to perform it.

The word 'garrote' comes from the Spanish term 'garrote', which means 'a stick used for choking'. Its origins trace back to the early 16th century when it was used to describe a method of execution that employed a strangling device. Over time, 'garrote' began to be associated specifically with strangulation using a wire or cord, particularly in the context of murder or assassination. In Spanish, the term itself is derived from the verb 'garrotar', meaning 'to strangle'. The virulent image associated with this method has permeated various cultures, often used in language and literature to describe brutal acts of violence.