The act of cutting off someone's head, especially as a form of execution or in violence.
From Old English 'beheaddan,' combining the prefix 'be-' with 'head.' This compound word has been used since at least the year 1000 to describe this violent act, which was both a form of execution and a consequence of warfare.
Beheading shows up across human history and literature as a pivotal moment because it's so final and so symbolic—removing the head (the seat of identity and thought) has always carried meaning beyond just the physical act, from Medusa to modern symbolism.
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