Decapitation

/dɪˌkæpɪˈteɪʃən/

Meaning & Definition

noun
the action of cutting off the head of a person or animal.
The decapitation of the statue caused a public outcry.
the removal of the head, typically as a form of execution.
The historical records showed that decapitation was a common method of punishment in ancient times.
the act of eliminating leadership or authority from an organization.
The company's sudden decapitation left many employees uncertain about their future.

Etymology

From Latin 'decapitare', meaning 'to cut off the head'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

headless body
A body without a head, often used in crime contexts.
cut off someone's head
To remove someone's authority or power.
lose one's head
To become frantic or irrational; to succumb to panic.

Related Words

beheader
One who beheads; an executioner.
headless
Without a head; decapitated.
execution
The carrying out of a sentence of death on a condemned person.

Slang Meanings

Losing one's head in a situation.
When the deadline hit, I really felt like I was facing decapitation with all the stress.
To be cut off completely from a situation.
After the scandal broke, he was decapitated from the project.