decapitate
[ dih-kap-i-teyt ]
/ dɪˈkæp ɪˌteɪt /
verb (used with object), de·cap·i·tat·ed, de·cap·i·tat·ing.
to cut off the head of; behead: Many people were decapitated during the French Revolution.
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Nearby words
decant, decantation, decanter, decapacitation, decapitalize, decapitate, decapitation, decapod, decapolis, decapsulate, decapsulation
Origin of decapitate
Related formsde·cap·i·ta·tion, nounde·cap·i·ta·tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for decapitate
British Dictionary definitions for decapitate
decapitate
/ (dɪˈkæpɪˌteɪt) /
verb
(tr) to behead
Derived Formsdecapitation, noundecapitator, noun
Word Origin for decapitate
C17: from Late Latin dēcapitāre, from Latin de- + caput head
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for decapitate
decapitate
1610s, from French décapiter (14c.), from Late Latin decapitatus past participle of decapitare, from Latin de- "off" (see de-) + caput (genitive capitis) "head" (see capitulum). Related: Decapitated; decapitating.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper