execute

Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search
See also: exécuté and exécute

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old French executer (French exécuter), from Latin exsecutus, past participle of exsequor, from ex- (out) + sequor (to follow).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt/
  • (file)

Verb[edit]

execute (third-person singular simple present executes, present participle executing, simple past and past participle executed)

  1. (transitive) To kill as punishment for capital crimes.
    There are certain states where it is lawful to execute prisoners convicted of certain crimes.
  2. (transitive) To carry out; to put into effect.
    Your orders have been executed, sir!
    I'll execute your orders as soon as this meeting is adjourned.
    • 1667, John Milton, “Book 9”, in Paradise Lost. A Poem Written in Ten Books, London: Printed [by Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker [] [a]nd by Robert Boulter [] [a]nd Matthias Walker, [], OCLC 228722708; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: The Text Exactly Reproduced from the First Edition of 1667: [], London: Basil Montagu Pickering [], 1873, OCLC 230729554:
      Why delays / His hand to execute what his decree / Fixed on this day?
  3. (transitive) To perform.
    to execute a difficult piece of music brilliantly
    to execute a turn in ballet
  4. (transitive, law) To carry out, to perform an act; to put into effect or cause to become legally binding or valid (as a contract) by so doing.
    to execute a contract
  5. (transitive, computing) To start, launch or run
    to execute a program
  6. (intransitive, computing) To run, usually successfully.
    The program executed, but data problems were discovered.

Synonyms[edit]

Related terms[edit]

Translations[edit]


Latin[edit]

Participle[edit]

execūte

  1. vocative masculine singular of execūtus

Portuguese[edit]

Verb[edit]

execute

  1. First-person singular (eu) present subjunctive of executar
  2. Third-person singular (ele, ela, also used with tu and você?) present subjunctive of executar
  3. Third-person singular (você) affirmative imperative of executar
  4. Third-person singular (você) negative imperative of executar

Spanish[edit]

Verb[edit]

execute

  1. First-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of executar.
  2. Formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of executar.
  3. Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted?) present subjunctive form of executar.
  4. Formal second-person singular (usted) imperative form of executar.