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headman

headman

9.9
A person who cuts off someone's head as a punishment
  • noun
  • /ˈhɛdˌmæn/
  • NSFW
translation icon : verdugo
  • During the trial, the headman sentenced the condemned man to death.

Examples

  • The village feared the headman who executed traitors without mercy.

  • Ghosts who will bleed like any ordinary man when they feel the headman's ax.

  • HEADMAN SAID THAT TWO MEN WOULD DIE.

  • In olden times, the headman was often called upon to carry out the executions.

Synonyms

executioner
vsheadman
  • NSFW
47 7.2

A person who puts someone to death as a legal punishment

is focused on removing heads specifically instead of any execution method
headsman
vsheadman
  • NSFW
2 9.9

A man who kills people by cutting off their heads

is the modern job of a man who removes heads for execution
beheader
vsheadman
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person or machine that cuts off people's heads to kill them

focuses on the specific act of removing heads rather than general executions
public executioner
vsheadman
  • NSFW
9.0

An official who carries out death sentences in front of people

focuses on beheading condemned persons rather than public ceremony or setting

Surface Forms

headman singular
headmen plural

Morphology

headman = head + man (opaque) = head + man

Although formally a compound 'head' + 'man', the specialized sense 'executioner who beheads' is historical and not derivable by a typical learner from the components.

Etymology

The word headman is made of head and man, and one meaning was the man who cut off people's 'heads'. So thinking of head + man helps you remember the executioner meaning.