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Glite Dictionary
headsman

headsman

2 9.9
A man who kills people by cutting off their heads
  • noun
  • /ˈhɛdzˌmæn/
  • NSFW
translation icon : verdugo
  • I tell you, Sire, the headsman's ax is too kind a fate for these foul traitors.

Examples

  • He trembled at the thought of facing the headsman for his crimes.

  • - Give my regards... - to the headsman and your father.

    The Three Musketeers (1993)

  • And the headsman's axe came down.

    Lady Jane (1986)

  • I hope you show as much courage when you face the headsman's axe.

    Atlas (1961)

  • ...where men fear the headsman's axe more than the Cyclopes.

    The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)

  • If what you say be true, the headsman's ax will not only rid us of this jabbering popinjay, but will sever this lovely little head from this delicate little neck.

    The Court Jester (1955)

  • The townspeople watched in silence as the headsman prepared for the execution.

  • In ancient times, the headsman was often a feared figure known for carrying out capital punishment.

Synonyms

executioner
vsheadsman
  • NSFW
47 7.2

A person who puts someone to death as a legal punishment

is limited to those who behead condemned people rather than all methods
beheader
vsheadsman
  • Offensive
1 9.9

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

is a human professional who carries out beheadings rather than a device
headman
vsheadsman
  • NSFW
9.9

A person who cuts off someone's head as a punishment

is used for the same role but stresses past usage
headswoman
vsheadsman
  • NSFW
9.9

A woman who beheads people sentenced to death

is the male term for that role

Surface Forms

headsman singular
headsmen plural

Morphology

headsman = head + man (transparent) = head + man

Formed as a compound of 'head' + 'man' (with a linking -s-); the meaning 'man who deals with heads' (i.e. an executioner who beheads) is compositionally clear though archaic.

Etymology

The word headsman comes from head ('top of the body') and man ('person'). So a headsman was literally the 'person of the head' — the person who cut off heads, which is why it means an executioner who beheads people.