eletrocussão

== Portuguese == === Alternative forms === eletrocução (proscribed) electrocussão (pre-1990 spelling) === Etymology === Borrowed from French électrocution, from English electrocution, equivalent to a blend of eletro- +‎ execução. The spelling with ⟨ss⟩ stems from association to the verb eletrocutir, in turn formed from eletro- and the Latin term quatere (“to shake”), which took the form *cutere when prefixed. This Latin word is also the source of verbs such as discutir and percutir, whose nominal derivations discussão and percussão (from Latin discussiōnem, percussiōnem), spelled with ⟨ss⟩, were formed with the suffix -tiō as its allomorph -siō. === Pronunciation === Hyphenation: e‧le‧tro‧cus‧são === Noun === eletrocussão f (plural eletrocussões) electrocution (severe electric shock) electrocution (accidental death by electric shock) Synonym: eletroplessão electrocution (execution by electric shock in an electric chair) ==== Usage notes ==== Unlike its English equivalent, this word is used in reference to non-lethal electric shocks even in specialized contexts. Such usage is documented without prejudice by many dictionaries, but rejected by others. Some commentators further reject the use of eletrocussão for accidental deaths and prescribe the use of eletroplessão instead. This view is not shared by dictionaries and is rejected by other commentators. The spelling eletrocução is common but generally considered incorrect, including by the Brazilian Academy of Letters’ Orthographic Vocabulary. Notably, the Aulete online dictionary considers both spellings valid; it posits different derivations for the two, although they are defined as completely synonymous. See more at eletrocutar, eletrocutir. === References ===