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Glite Dictionary
beheader

beheader

1 9.9
A person or machine that cuts off people's heads to kill them
  • noun
  • /bɪˈhɛdər/
  • Offensive
translation icon : decapitador
  • The beheader used a sword as his instrument for carrying out executions in the public square.

Examples

  • That's a beheader, and I don't mess with capital crimes.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • This information is absolutely a beheader, so I hope your neck tingles if you ever feel an urge to divulge it.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • In Toronto, the would-be bombers and beheaders of the Prime Minister had all attended Canadian high schools.

    Blog text (3)

  • Notable beheaders' and hangmen's lives are presented with their thoughts and beliefs on how executions should be carried out.

    Blog text (5)

  • As a beheader, he was responsible for carrying out the execution orders given by the king.

  • Historically, a beheader was often regarded with fear, as their role was to end lives swiftly.

Synonyms

executioner
vsbeheader
  • NSFW
47 7.2

A person who puts someone to death as a legal punishment

specifies removal of heads rather than any method of execution
headhunter
vsbeheader
  • Offensive
3 9.9

A person who cuts off and keeps enemy heads as trophies

focuses on killing as punishment rather than cutting off heads for trophies
headsman
vsbeheader
  • NSFW
2 9.9

A man who kills people by cutting off their heads

is more general, covering any person or device that removes heads
headman
vsbeheader
  • NSFW
9.9

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

is any person or device that removes heads, not only male officials
headswoman
vsbeheader
  • NSFW
9.9

A woman who beheads people sentenced to death

is any person or device that removes heads, not limited to females
head-shrinker
vsbeheader
  • NSFW
9.9

A person who cuts off and keeps enemy heads as trophies

refers mainly to removing heads for execution rather than for trophies

How Violent

beheader
  • Offensive
1 9.9
executioner
  • NSFW
47 7.2
murderer
  • NSFW
946 3.4
killer
  • NSFW
∞ 1.9

Surface Forms

beheader singular
beheaders plural

Morphology

beheader = behead (transparent) = behead + er

Formed by the agentive suffix '-er' added to the verb 'behead'; the meaning 'one who beheads' is directly and predictably derived.

Etymology

Beheader is built from the parts be-, head, and -er, where be- helps make a verb, head is the body part, and -er means 'one who does'. So a beheader literally is 'one who removes the head', which is why the word names a person or device used in executions.