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decapitate [ dih-kap -i-teyt ] SHOW IPA
/ dɪˈkæp ɪˌteɪt / PHONETIC RESPELLING
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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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Origin of decapitate 1605–15; <Late Latin
dēcapitātus, past participle of
dēcapitāre, equivalent to
dē- de- +
capit- (stem of
caput ) head +
-ātus -ate1
OTHER WORDS FROM decapitate de·cap·i·ta·tion, noun de·cap·i·ta·tor, noun
Words nearby decapitate decanol ,
decanormal ,
decant ,
decanter ,
decapitalize ,
decapitate ,
decapod ,
Decapolis ,
decapsulate ,
decarbonate ,
decarbonize
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to decapitate
How to use decapitate in a sentence In late May, Lewellen began to contemplate a decapitating strike against the southern Albemarle’s revolutionary elite.
If an enemy of the United States wanted to decapitate America’s national security leadership, they could hardly do a better job of it than Sens.
He goes down and then I’m swinging, chopping on his neck, almost decapitate d him.
Many people have pointed out the contrast between the scene where John Walker brings down his shield on one of the Flag Smashers, decapitating him, and the scene where Steve looks like he’s about to do the same to Tony Stark.
One of the adults was decapitate d in a single blow, the team found.
They decapitate those men deemed foes of their faith and celebrate the gore online, holding up the severed heads.
Maybe the Republicans will attempt to decapitate the federal government by leaving it without major cabinet officials.
The plane stopped a good hundred meters from where we are standing but it looks like it is going to decapitate us.
During the run-up to that war, the world was assured it would be a quick, painless fight intended only to decapitate the regime.
Still in a dream, I stood at the back kitchen door and watched Dilsey decapitate the plumpest fowls the poultry yard boasted.
Behold in them the double-bladed axe with which you decapitate the white old man whom you enthrone among your painted clouds!
The black and white eunuchs keeping order in the streets decapitate without mercy every man who does not remain indoors.
When Ernest or Jack discovered one on their own persons at night they left no stone unturned to capture and decapitate it.
This last is a very unpleasant idea, and helps to decapitate three unoffending primroses.
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British Dictionary definitions for decapitate
Derived forms of decapitate decapitation , noun decapitator , 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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