Electrocutes

/ɪˈlɛktroʊkjuːts/ verb

Definition

Third person singular present tense of 'electrocute': to kill or injure someone by passing a strong electric current through their body.

Etymology

From 'electro-' (electricity) + a blend with 'execute' (meaning to carry out, especially execution). The word was coined around 1890 when electric chairs were first used for capital punishment.

Kelly Says

The word 'electrocute' was literally invented to describe execution by electric chair in New York in 1890—it's a modern word for a grim practice, blending 'electricity' and 'execution' into one term!

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