Removed someone's head from their body, historically used as a form of execution.
Old English 'beheafdian,' combining 'be-' (around/about) and 'heafod' (head). This was a common execution method in medieval times.
The word 'beheaded' appears in so much historical and literary drama—from medieval kings to Marie Antoinette—that it's become almost a symbol of ultimate power and powerlessness, depending on which side of the executioner's block you're on.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.