Guillotining: meaning, definitions and examples
⚔️
guillotining
[ɡiləˌtiːnɪŋ ]
Definition
historical execution
Guillotining refers to the act of executing someone by means of a guillotine, a device used during the French Revolution for beheading individuals. This method was meant to provide a more humane execution compared to other methods. The guillotine became a symbol of the Reign of Terror that occurred during this period in France.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The revolutionary government resorted to guillotining as a means of enforcing their rule.
- Several prominent figures faced guillotining during the tumultuous era of the French Revolution.
- The method of guillotining was considered swift and painless by its proponents.
Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- The guillotine was invented in France in the 18th century as a more humane way of executing prisoners.
- It became widely known during the French Revolution, when many people were executed in public.
- It was named after Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, who proposed its use to make executions less painful.
Cultural Impact
- The symbolism of the guillotine represents the extreme measures taken during political upheavals, reflecting the ideas of justice and revenge.
- Films and literature often depict the guillotine as a sign of terror, especially in stories about revolutions and betrayals.
- Its image still evokes strong reactions, often symbolizing fear, death, or the struggle against tyranny.
Psychological Aspects
- The fear associated with the guillotine can be linked to a broader fear of death and the unknown.
- It serves as a historical example of how societies deal with crime and punishment, showcasing varying attitudes towards justice.
- Studies on capital punishment often mention the guillotine as a representation of the moral dilemmas involved in state-sanctioned executions.
Literature
- The guillotine frequently appears in historical novels, illustrating the grim realities of revolutionary France.
- Writers like Charles Dickens reference it in works to convey themes of justice, social inequality, and human rights.
- Poets and playwrights have used the guillotine as a metaphor for drastic change or the end of an era.
Translations
Translations of the word "guillotining" in other languages:
🇵🇹 guilhotinagem
🇮🇳 गिलियोटिनिंग
🇩🇪 Guillotinierung
🇮🇩 guillotine
🇺🇦 гільйотинування
🇵🇱 gilotynowanie
🇯🇵 ギロチン処刑
🇫🇷 guillotinage
🇪🇸 guillotina
🇹🇷 giyotinleme
🇰🇷 기요틴 처형
🇸🇦 إعدام بالمقصلة
🇨🇿 gilotinování
🇸🇰 gilotínovanie
🇨🇳 断头台处决
🇸🇮 giljotina
🇮🇸 gíslun
🇰🇿 гильотиналау
🇬🇪 გილიოტინირება
🇦🇿 gilotin
🇲🇽 guillotina