EXECUTE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Execute

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/ˈɛksəkjˌut/ Listen

verb

Execute v. t. (past & past part. executed; pres. part. executing)

1.

To follow out or through to the end; to carry out into complete effect; to complete; to finish; to effect; to perform. "Why delays His hand to execute what his decree Fixed on this day?"

2.

To complete, as a legal instrument; to perform what is required to give validity to, as by signing and perhaps sealing and delivering; as, to execute a deed, lease, mortgage, will, etc.

3.

To give effect to; to do what is provided or required by; to perform the requirements or stipulations of; as, to execute a decree, judgment, writ, or process.

4.

To infect capital punishment on; to put to death in conformity to a legal sentence; as, to execute a traitor.

5.

To put to death illegally; to kill. (Obs.)

6.

(Mus.) To perform, as a piece of music or other feat of skill, whether on an instrument or with the voice, or in any other manner requiring physical activity; as, to execute a difficult part brilliantly; to execute a coup; to execute a double play.

Synonyms: To accomplish; effect; fulfill; achieve; consummate; finish; complete. See Accomplish.

Execute v. i.

1.

To do one's work; to act one's part or purpose. (R.)

2.

To perform musically.

See images of 'Execute'

Etymology of 'Execute'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Execute" Quotes from Famous Books

... the force; by educating the people and making them more intelligent, independent, and self-reliant, much may be done to abate the evil, but at present it is admittedly a foul ulcer on the administration of justice under our rule. The menial who serves a summons, gets a decree of Court to execute, or is entrusted with any order of an official nature, expects to be bribed to do his duty. If he does not get his fee, he will throw such impediments in the way, raise such obstacles, and fashion such delays, that ...

— Sport and Work on the Nepaul Frontier - Twelve Years Sporting Reminiscences of an Indigo Planter • James Inglis

... and I are blood relations, and I have a particular penchant for my lineage, I cannot help remarking that his manner denoted a great want of feeling. I suppose he was pitched upon by Castlereagh as a proper tool to execute his harsh commands. ...

— The Surrender of Napoleon • Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland

... one of the ringleaders, piped, "Stand by hammocks!" The men ran on deck, each seizing a hammock, and jumping with it down below on the main deck. The object of this manoeuvre not being comprehended, they were suffered to execute it without interruption. In a few minutes they sent up the marine, whom they had disarmed when sentry over the prisoners, to state that they wished to speak to the captain and officers, who, after some discussion, agreed that they would descend and hear the proposals which the ship's company should ...

— The King's Own • Captain Frederick Marryat

... believed in sorcery, and at different times in their history had been known to execute summary judgment, on those whom they supposed to be guilty of practicing the Satanic art. In the present instance suspicion rested on the woman, by whom he had been attended, during his sickness. In pursuance of the customs of their ...

— An account of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha - Red Jacket and his people, 1750-1830 • John Niles Hubbard

... child; how could she help it? she showed it by her unusually tinged cheeks and by her persistent down-looking eyes. It was very difficult indeed to help it; for if she ventured to look at Alexander she caught impertinent little winks, most unlike John Alden or any Puritan, which he could execute with impunity because his face was mostly turned from the audience; but which Daisy took ...

— Melbourne House • Elizabeth Wetherell

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