executioner
UK: ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃənə | US: ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃənər
n. a person who carries out a sentence of death on a legally condemned person
n. (historically) an official tasked with enforcing judicial executions
executioner = execute<to carry out (a legal penalty)> + er<agent suffix>
- execute (from Latin execut-, past participle stem of exsequi "to follow out, carry out," from ex- "out" + sequi "to follow")
- er (agentive suffix in English, indicating "one who does something")
Etymology Origin:
The word executioner emerged in late Middle English (15th century), combining execute—originally meaning "to carry out a legal decision"—with the agent suffix -er. The Latin root exsequi reflects the idea of "following through" on a judicial order, which evolved into the specialized role of enforcing capital punishment. Over time, the term became narrowly associated with the act of putting someone to death, though its broader sense of "one who enforces" persists in legal contexts.
The executioner performed his duty with solemn precision.
In medieval times, the executioner was often a feared yet essential figure in society.
The crowd gathered to witness the executioner carry out the sentence.
Historical records rarely reveal the personal lives of executioners.
The role of the executioner has been abolished in many modern legal systems.