décapiter

to behead, to decapitate

verb deh-kah-pee-TEH Rare

Usage Note

Décapiter is a formal term used in historical, legal, and figurative contexts. Figuratively, décapiter une organisation means to remove its leadership. The noun décapitation is used in both literal and metaphorical senses, and la guillotine was the instrument historically associated with the act in France.

Examples

"Le roi fut décapité pendant la Révolution."

Natural Translation

The king was beheaded during the Revolution.

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