Dictionary

electrocution en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• /ɪˌlɛktɹəˈkjuːʃən/

Etymology

Blend of electro- + execution. By surface analysis, electrocute + -ion. Coined in the US around 1888, in relation to the introduction of the electric chair (see quotes).

Meanings

1. (countable, qualifier:originally, uncountable) Deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair.
   • A correspondent of The American has taken exception to the use, in a recent paragraph in this column, of the word “electrocution.” The writer of the paragraph referred to is conscious that the word, like other etymological hybrids, lacks euphony and consistency; but during the formative period succeeding the introduction of a new idea not yet provided with a verbal exponent, the safest course is to follow general popular usage. The idea must be expressed, and the choice lies between a cumbrous word and a cumbrous sentence, the former of which seems the lesser evil. “Electrocution” has been widely used, even by scientific men, while the only plausible alternative thus far suggested—“electrothany”—though possessing the merit of unmixed ancestry, is inadequate in that it carries no penal signification. 1890 August 23, “Weekly notes”, in The American, volume 524, Robert Ellison, page 370:
   • Electrothanasia is the new word which is proposed as a substitute for the bungling word “electrocution,” which does not express what it is used for, while the word suggested in place of it, though of Greek origin, expresses exactly what we mean when death is produced by electric action. At the same time it is a very ancient word for modern people to use, and it is an open question whether it will be generally acceptable, should execution by electricity be commonly adopted. 1890 September 14, “Electrocution or Electrothanasia.”, in American Druggists' Circular and Chemical Gazette, page 214:
2. (countable, uncountable) The accidental death or suicide by electric shock.
   • The faulty wiring caused the unfortunate worker’s accidental electrocution.
3. (countable, informal, proscribed, uncountable) A severe electric shock, whether fatal or not.

Forms

Deriveds

electrocutioner

Relateds

execution

Synonyms

electrothanasia

Translations (34)

ru сме́рть от электри́ческого то́ка (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · ja 感電死 (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · ja 電気椅子刑 (deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair) · de Tod infolge elektrischen Schlags (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · fi sähköteloitus (deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair) · ca electrocució (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · hu áramütés (a severe electric shock, whether fatal or not) · ru смерте́льная электротра́вма (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · de Stromschlag (a severe electric shock, whether fatal or not) · fr électrocution (deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair) · it fulminazione (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · fi sähkökuolema (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · ru казнь на электри́ческом сту́ле (deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair) · nl elektrocutie (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · ro electrocutare (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · cmn 電刑 /电刑 (deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair) · es electrocución (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · de Tod durch Stromschlag (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · ru уда́р то́ком (a severe electric shock, whether fatal or not) · de Elektrokution (deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair) · fr électrocution (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · pl porażenie prądem (a severe electric shock, whether fatal or not) · it elettrocuzione (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · pt eletrocussão (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · de Elektroschock (a severe electric shock, whether fatal or not) · de Hinrichtung auf dem elektrischen Stuhl (deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair) · cmn 電死 /电死 (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · ru пораже́ние то́ком (a severe electric shock, whether fatal or not) · el ηλεκτροπληξία (accidental death or suicide by electric shock) · ru электроглуше́ние (a severe electric shock, whether fatal or not) · fi sähköisku (a severe electric shock, whether fatal or not) · hu villamosszékben való/történő kivégzés (deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair) · cmn 觸電 /触电 (a severe electric shock, whether fatal or not) · fr électrocution (a severe electric shock, whether fatal or not)