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decapitateto cut off the head of a person or animal

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to cut off the head of a person or animal

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈkæpɪteɪt/

Example Sentences

  • The ancient king threatened to decapitate anyone who brought bad news.
  • My mom said she'd decapitate me if I came home late again, but I think she was just being dramatic.
  • The vandals decapitated all the garden gnomes in the neighborhood.

decapitate

VERB

[/dɪˈkæpɪteɪt/]

to cut off the head of a person or animal

The executioner raised his axe to decapitate the condemned traitor at dawn.
💡 Concept

The executioner raised his axe to decapitate the condemned traitor at dawn.

They participate as they anticipate... decapitate!
🎵 Rhyme

They participate as they anticipate... decapitate!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪˈkæpɪteɪt/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪˈkæpɪteɪt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixde--
Rootcapit
Suffix--ate

Origin

From Latin decapitare, derived from de- (away) + caput (head). The word originally denoted the act of removing the head, particularly as a method of execution in medieval times, though it is now used both literally and figuratively.

Breakdown

de- (away, off) + caput (head) + -ate (verb suffix, to make or perform an action). The word literally means 'to remove the head.'

🎵Rhyme

anticipateparticipateappreciate
anticipate
participate
appreciate

🔗Collocations

decapitate a statue
brutally decapitate
decapitate the leadership
publicly decapitate
decapitate the enemy

📝Examples

The ancient king threatened to decapitate anyone who brought bad news.

😄 Fun example

My mom said she'd decapitate me if I came home late again, but I think she was just being dramatic.

😄 Fun example

The vandals decapitated all the garden gnomes in the neighborhood.

The new CEO plans to decapitate the old management structure.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

beheadexecuteguillotinesever

Antonyms

preserveprotectsave

Related

capitalcaptainchapterheadexecution

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