headsman

American  

[hedz-muhn] / ˈhɛdz mən /

noun

plural

headsmen

1. a public executioner who beheads condemned persons.

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headsman British  

/ ˈhɛdzmən /

noun

1. (formerly) an executioner who beheaded condemned persons

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Etymology

Origin of headsman

First recorded in 1595–1605; head + 's ¹ + man

Example Sentences

The plays, adapted by Mike Poulton from the novels “Wolf Hall” and “Bring Up the Bodies,” end before Cromwell’s date with the headsman, a scene Ms. Mantel will tackle in a third novel.

From New York Times

Stygg was hardly the most expert of headsmen, and Benfred had a neck thick as a boar's, heavy with muscle and fat.

From Literature

"King Robert has a headsman," he said, uncertainly.

From Literature

While Henry VIII, said to be a gout sufferer, could do his explaining with a headsman for anyone bold enough to ask him about his diet, simpler folks may need to settle for a flack.

From New York Times

For he was attired to represent a headsman, being from head to foot in black, with a crape mask upon his face and a headsman's axe in his hand.

From Project Gutenberg