BEHEADING

decapitation, beheading

(noun) killing by cutting off the head

decapitation, beheading

(noun) execution by cutting off the victim’s head

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Verb

beheading

present participle of behead

Noun

beheading (countable and uncountable, plural beheadings)

An instance of a person being beheaded.

Synonyms

• decapitation

• decollation

Source: Wiktionary

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BEHEAD

Be*head", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beheaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Beheading.] Etym: [OE. bihefden, AS. beheáfdian; pref. be- + heáfod head. See Head.]

Definition: To sever the head from; to take off the head of.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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