executioner (eksekushoner)

1. One who executes or carries into effect; especially, one who carries into effect a death sentence of a 2062 court or tribunal; a functionary who inflicts capital punishment in pursuance of a legal warrant; a headsman or hangman. Is not the causer of the timele deaths... As blameful as the executioner ? Shak ., Rich. III., i. 2. In this case every man hath a right to punish the offender, and be executioner of the law of nature. Locke . Having made a speech, and taken off his George, he kneeled down at the block, and the executioner performed his office. Ludlow , Memoirs, I. 244. 2. That by means of which anything is performed; an instrument or implement used in producing a desired effect. [Rare.] All along The walls abominable ornaments!- Are tools of wrath, anvils of torments hung; Fell executioners of foul intents. Crashaw, So spet to d'Herode. executive (eg-zek'ū-tiv), a. and n. [= F. ex écut if = Sp. ejecutivo = Pg. executivo = It. es ecutivo , executus , pp. of exequi , exsequi , execute: see execute .] I. a. 1. Concerned with or pertaining to executing, performing, or carrying into effect: specifically applied to that branch of government which is intrusted with the execution of the laws, as distinguished from the legislative and judicial . The body that deliberates and enacts laws is legislative ; the body that judges or de termines the application of the laws to particular cases, their constitutionality, etc., is judicial ; the person, or body of persons, who carries the laws into effect, or superintends the enforcement of them, is executive : thus, in the government of the United States these three bodies are respectively the two houses of Congre , the Supreme Court, and the President with the officials subordinate to him. It is of the nature of war to increase the executive , at the expense of the legislative authority. A. Hamilton , Federalist, No. viii. 2. Suited for executing or carrying into effect; of the kind requisite for practical performance or direction: as, executive ability. - Executive officer, the officer on board a United States man-of-war who has charge of all details of the drills, police, cleanline , and general management of the ship. He is next in command to the commanding officer. II. n. That branch of a government to which the execution of the laws is intrusted; an offieer of a government, or an official body, charged with the execution and enforcement of the laws. The executive may be a king, emperor, president, council, or other magistrate or body. Besides the direct commerce which may take place between the Executive and a member, there are other evils resulting from their appointment to office, wholly at war with the theory of our government and the purity of its action. T. H. Benton , Thirty Years, I. 85. The executive was henceforward known as "the President." Bancroft, Hist. Const., II. 121. The liberty of the subject to act or speak, or even to think, was reduced to a minimum under an executive familiar with constructive treasons. Stubbs, Medieval and Modern Hist., p. 264. executively (eg-zek'ū-tiv-li), adv . In the way of executing or performing; by active agency. duct our Saviour into his fleshly tabernacle. Who did.. executively by miraculous operation con Barrow , Works, I. xxxii, It was the first appearance of that mysterious thing which we call Life. How shall we account for its introduction? Naturally or supernaturally? Spontaneously or executively? Atheistically or Divinely? G. D. Boardman, Creative Week, p. 120. exécutoire (eg-za-kü-twor'), n. [F., setting forth a judgment, or a notarial deed, by virtue of which the creditor may proceed to execution by seizing and selling the goods of his debtor. executor (eg-zek'ū-tor, sometimes ek'sē-kü-tor in senses 1 and 2), n. [ Sp. ejecutor = Pg. executor = It. esecutore, eseguitore, Executor of this office, dirge for to synge, Shall begynne ye bi hope of seynt as [Asaph]. Political Poems , etc. (ed. Furnivall), p. 7. My sweet mistre Weeps when she sees me work; and says such basene Had never like executor . Shak ., Tempest, iii. 1. His [the mayor's] functions as receiver and executor of writs devolved on the sheriffs of the newly constituted shire. Stubbs , Const. Hist. (2d ed.), § 810. 21. An executioner. This every lewed viker or persoun Can seye, how ire engendreth homycide; Ire is in soth executour of pride. Chaucer, Summoner's Tale, 1. 304. exedra The sad-ey'd justice, with his surly hum, Delivering o'er to executors pale The lazy yawning drone. Shak., Hen. V., i. 2. 3. Specifically, the person appointed by a testator to execute his will, or to see its provisions carried into effect. The deuil is his executur of his gold and is tresure. Early Eng . Poems (ed. Furnivall), p. 19. Thou schalte be myn executur , for y am lyke to dye. Nugæ Poeticæ (ed. Hall i well), p. 25. I make your grace my executor , and, I beseech you, See my poor will fulfill'd. Fletcher, Humorous Lieutenant, iii. 5. Confirmation of executor. See confirmation . Executor creditor, in Scots law , a creditor who, when the executor nominate and the other executors legally entitled to expede confirmation have declined to confirm, obtains, in virtue of a liquid ground of debt, confirmation to the extent of administering as much of the estate as is sufficient to pay his debt. Executor dative, in Scots law , an executor appointed by the court: equivalent to administrator in England. - Executor de son tort, one who, without authority, intermeddles with the goods of a deceased person, by which he subjects himself to the burden of executorship without the profits or advantages. - Executor nominate, an executor appointed by the will of the testator. executorial (eg-zek-u-tō'ri-al), a. [= It. esecutoriale, The ancient executorial rolls written and signed by Queen Eleanor's executors, dated 1291-4. N. and Q., 7th ser., VI. 117.