executioner

[Eng.execution; -er.] *1. One who executes, performs, or carries out any duty or office. "It is a comfort to the executioners of this office, when they consider that they cannot be guilty of oppre ion." -Bacon . 2 (Spec.): One who inflicts capital punishment in pursuance of a legal warrant. "He kneeled down at the block and the executioner performed his office." -Ludlow: Memoirs, i. 244. 3. One who kills in any way; a murderer. "I would not be thy executioner." Shakesp.: As You Like It , iii. 5. 4. The instrument or means by which anything is executed, performed, or carried out. IMG:content-1243.png:[blocks in formation] 1. Ord . Lang .: Having the power or quality of executing or performing; capable of or fit for executing. "They are the nimblest and strongest instruments, fittest to be executive of the commands of the soul." Hale: Orig. of Mankind , p. 37. 2. Polit.: Active; carrying the laws into effect; superintending or having the charge of the execution of the laws. It is opposed to legislative and judicial ; the legislative branch of a government deliberates, discu es, and enacts laws; the judicial applies and enforces the laws in particular cases; the executive carries them into effect, and superintends their enforcement. "A council of state chosen by that a embly to be vested with the executive power." -Ludlow : Memoirs , ii. 206. B. As subst .: The officer or officers constituting that branch of a government to which is committed the execution of the laws; the administrative branch of the government. ěx-ěc-u-tive-lý, adv. [Eng. executive; -ly.] By way of execution or performance. IMG:content-1244.png:[blocks in formation] exegesis B. As subst.: Any legal authority employed for executing a decree or sentence of court. "Or daines the Lordis of se ion to graunt ther letter is & vther executor i all is against the excommunicat prelats and all vthers excommunicat per sones."- Acts Chas . L (ed. 1814), v. 302. ex-ěc-u-tör-ship, s. [Eng. executor; -ship.] The office or position of an executor. ěx-ěc-u-tõr-y, a. [Eng. executor; -y.] 1. Ord . Lang .: Executive; performing or carrying out official duties; pertaining to the executive branch of government. 2. Law : To be executed, performed, or carried out at some future time. [EXECUTED.] "In these devises, I say, remainders may be created in some measure contrary to the first rules of law: though our lawyers will not allow such dispositions to be strictly remainders; but call them by another name, that of executory devises, or devises hereafter to be executed."Black stone: Comment., bk. ii., ch. 8.