headsman

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical: an executioner who puts condemned people to death by beheading

   The condemned prisoner was led from the cell to the headsman.

2. 2
   noun

   archaic: a chief, leader, or principal man

   The village headsman spoke first during the council.

From head's man or head + -s- + man. Middle English and Scots forms could mean a chief or head man; the later prominent sense is an executioner whose method is beheading.

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