electrocute

== English == === Etymology === Blend of electro- +‎ execute, after electrocution. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ɪˈlɛktɹəkjuːt/, /əˈlɛktɹəkjuːt/ === Verb === electrocute (third-person singular simple present electrocutes, present participle electrocuting, simple past and past participle electrocuted) (transitive) To kill by electric shock. (transitive) To execute by electric shock, often by means of an electric chair. Synonym: (slang) fry (transitive, proscribed, informal) To inflict a severe electric shock (not necessarily fatal) upon. Synonyms: electrify, shock, tase, zap ==== Usage notes ==== Formally, the words electrocute and electrocution always imply fatality. Informally, however, these terms are rather often used to refer to serious but nonfatal electric shocks. Standard usage is to reserve electrocute and electrocution for fatal electric shocks, and to use shock or electric shock for nonfatal ones. Originally, electrocute and electrocution specifically referred only to judicial execution by electric shock. However, electrocute and electrocution are now used to refer to all fatal electric shocks, even those not used in execution. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== electrocution (noun) ==== Translations ==== == Portuguese == === Verb === electrocute inflection of electrocutar: first/third-person singular present subjunctive third-person singular imperative == Spanish == === Verb === electrocute inflection of electrocutar: first/third-person singular present subjunctive third-person singular imperative