Meaning & Definition of Guillotine in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: A machine used for beheading a person by dropping a heavy blade; historically used for executions.

  Example Sentence: The guillotine became a symbol of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution.

• Definition: Any situation in which people or things are cut off or eliminated suddenly.

  Example Sentence: The budget cuts felt like a guillotine for many programs.

Etymology

Origin: Named after Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, a French physician who proposed its use.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• under the guillotine: In a situation where someone faces severe consequences or judgment.
• guillotine your hopes: To completely destroy someone's hopes or plans.

Translations

• Spanish: guilotina

• French: guillotine

• German: Guillotine

• Russian: гильотина

Related Words

• decapitation: The act of cutting off the head.

• execution: The carrying out of a death sentence.

Slang Meanings of guillotine

• Meaning: The act of decisively ending something or someone.

  Example Sentence: They really put the guillotine on that project after the latest review.

• Meaning: To execute a plan with precision.

  Example Sentence: He guillotined the presentation and left no room for questions.