Guillotined Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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guillotined
[ɡɪl.ə.taɪnd ]
Definition
historical execution
To be guillotined means to be executed by a machine known as the guillotine. This device was primarily used during the French Revolution for the execution of criminals and political prisoners. The guillotine consists of a heavy blade that is dropped to behead the victim swiftly and efficiently. Its use symbolized the revolutionary ideals of equality before the law but also became a terrifying emblem of the Reign of Terror. The act of guillotining is often associated with large-scale executions and the harshness of revolutionary justice.
Synonyms
beheaded, executed, terminated.
Examples of usage
- Many prisoners were guillotined during the revolution.
- The last person to be guillotined in France was in 1977.
- He watched in horror as the condemned man was guillotined.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- The guillotine was invented in France in the late 18th century and became a symbol of the French Revolution.
- Named after Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, who proposed it as a humane method of execution.
- It was used for public executions, reflecting the dramatic shift in attitudes toward justice and punishment.
Cultural Impact
- The image of the guillotine often appears in literature and film, symbolizing tyranny and the people's revolt against oppression.
- In modern culture, it remains a powerful metaphor for unjust or extreme measures used by authority figures.
Science and Technology
- The design of the guillotine was based on scientific principles, with the weight of the blade generating enough force to cause instant death.
- It has been studied in the context of biomechanics, illustrating how effectively it delivered a fatal blow.
Psychology
- The guillotine serves as a historical reminder of societal attitudes toward punishment and has influenced discussions on capital punishment.
- Research suggests that exposure to extreme historical events shapes cultural trauma, affecting societal perspectives on justice.
Politics
- During the Reign of Terror, thousands faced the guillotine, illustrating the dangers of political extremism and mob justice.
- Its use sparked debates on human rights, leading to movements advocating for more humane treatment of prisoners.
Origin of 'guillotined'
The term 'guillotined' derives from the noun 'guillotine', which was named after Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, a French physician who proposed its use in 1789 as a more humane method of execution. The device itself became a symbol of the French Revolution, representing the new ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity while simultaneously embodying the brutality of that era. Prior to the guillotine, executions were often public spectacles involving great suffering. The guillotine allowed for a swift and ostensibly merciful death, as it was designed to behead an individual quickly and with minimal suffering. However, it also became infamous for its frequent use during the Reign of Terror, leading to the deaths of thousands, including prominent figures like King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The word and the act of being guillotined thus carry heavy historical connotations, reflecting the complexities of justice and power during one of history's most tumultuous periods.