decapitate

American  

[dih-kap-i-teyt] / dɪˈkæp ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used with object)

decapitated, decapitating

1. to cut off the head of; behead.

   Many people were decapitated during the French Revolution.

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decapitate British  

/ dɪˈkæpɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to behead

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Other Word Forms

• decapitation noun
• decapitator noun

Etymology

Origin of decapitate

1605–15; < Late Latin dēcapitātus, past participle of dēcapitāre, equivalent to dē- de- + capit- (stem of caput ) head + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The poor truck was rattling to the point I expected the hood to fly off and decapitate a couple of pine trees.

From Literature

“As was 2013. But I do not believe it has implications for legislation. I believe whatever trauma arises now will be enough. No one will want to take steps to decapitate the legislative filibuster.”

From New York Times

The chances of the CHiPs or Baywatch remakes amplifying this subversion are as likely as the latter having the Rock decapitate Hasselhoff mid-movie, or featuring an unattractive principal actor.

From The Guardian

His retirement won’t decapitate any of the driving forces involved.

From Salon

“I currently know that he did not decapitate it, even though he said that’s what he was doing, so that’s what I had assumed that he did,” she said Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times