execute

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   sign in the presence of witnesses

   The President executed the treaty

2. 2
   verb

   kill as a means of socially sanctioned punishment

   In some states, criminals are executed

3. 3
   verb

   murder in a planned fashion

   The Mafioso who collaborated with the police was executed

4. 4
   verb

   carry out the legalities of

   execute a will or a deed

5. 5
   verb

   To kill, especially as punishment for a capital crime.

   There are certain states where it is lawful to execute prisoners convicted of certain crimes.

6. 6
   verb

   To carry out; to put into effect.

   Your orders have been executed, sir!

7. 7
   verb

   To perform.

   to execute a difficult piece of music brilliantly

8. 8
   verb

   To carry out, to perform an act; to put into effect or cause to become legally binding or valid (as a contract) by so doing.

   to execute a contract

Etymology

From Old French executer (French exécuter), from Latin exsecutus, past participle of exsequor (“to follow (up/through)”, particularly in the sense “to go through with a deed or punishment”), from ex- (“out”) + sequor (“to follow”).