EXECUTE • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • 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

... Skippy's imagining. Each watched the other's correspondence with a jealous eye. Whenever Skippy received a letter from home, he ostensibly hugged it to his shirt-front and, repairing to a corner, read it furtively with the pink morocco case before him. Afterward he would execute a double shuffle across the room, whistle a hilarious strain, and give every facial contortion which could express a lover's joy, while Snorky squirmed and scowled and pretended not to notice. Snorky in turn ...

— Skippy Bedelle - His Sentimental Progress From the Urchin to the Complete - Man of the World • Owen Johnson

... Mathematics; on Education, a project subsequently enlarged to include the systematization of Morals; and on Industry, or the action of man upon external nature. Our list comprises the only two of these which he lived to execute. It further contains a brief exposition of his final doctrines, in the form of a Dialogue, or, as he terms it, a Catechism, of which a translation has been published by his principal English adherent, Mr Congreve. There has also appeared very recently, ...

— Auguste Comte and Positivism • John-Stuart Mill

... rising up from the water at the same time, dripping and wroth, roared out in one voice a terrible threat of vengeance, which they promised to execute the next day. They knew the boy's speed, and that they could by ...

— The Indian Fairy Book - From the Original Legends • Cornelius Mathews

... knowledge of Mrs. Newell's methods made him feel that her husband might be an interesting study. This, however, did not affect his resolve to keep clear of the business. He entered the Hubbards' dining-room with the firm intention of refusing to execute Mrs. Newell's commission, and if he changed his mind in the course of the evening it was not ...

— The Hermit and the Wild Woman and Other Stories • Edith Wharton

... in order to send out some scouts; we had about twenty men, and Captain Joliette led us. 'Comrades,' he said, 'before we start, let us finally take care that the cursed Africans leave us at peace in future!' and then he called my name—you must know he had always a little order for me to execute—" ...

— The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume I (of 2) • Alexandre Dumas pere

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