decapitate

/dɪˈkæpɪteɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈkæpɪteɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈka-pə-ˌtāt dē-/ (ame, mw)

decapitate — verb

  • decapitatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • decapitateshe / she / it
  • decapitatedpast simple
  • decapitating-ing form

1. to remove a person's head from the body, usually as a way of killing or punishin

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to remove a person's head from the body, usually as a way of killing or punishing them

例句

The rebels threatened to decapitate the captured general at dawn.

decapitate + person as direct object

In the film, the monster decapitated two guards with one swing.

同義詞
  • behead

    the closest everyday equivalent, usually less formal

  • execute

    means kill as a punishment, but not necessarily by removing the head

文法句型

decapitate + person

用法筆記

Usually found in historical, legal, or fictional writing and nearly always refers to literal killing by removing the head. In ordinary speech, behead is often the more familiar choice.

常見錯誤

❌The company decapitated 200 workers last year.
✅The company laid off 200 workers last year.
💡decapitate is a literal word about removing a head, not a general word for cutting jobs.