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   guillotine

   /ˈɡɪlətiːn/

   noun

   • 1. a machine with a heavy blade sliding vertically in grooves, used for beheading people.
   • ▪ a device for cutting that incorporates a descending or sliding blade, used typically for cutting paper, card, or sheet metal.
   • ▪ a surgical instrument with a sliding blade used typically for the removal of the tonsils.
   • ▪ (in parliament) a procedure used to prevent delay in the discussion of a legislative bill by fixing times at which various parts of it must be voted on: "a guillotine motion"

   verb

   • 1. execute (someone) by guillotine.
   • ▪ cut (paper, card, etc.) with a guillotine.
   • ▪ (in parliament) end discussion by applying a guillotine to (a bill or debate).

   Word Origin late 18th century: from French, named after Joseph-Ignace Guillotin (1738–1814), the French physician who recommended its use for executions in 1789.

   Scrabble Points: 11

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