electrocution

Blend of electro- +‎ execution.^[1] By surface analysis, electrocute +‎ -ion.

• IPA^(key): /ɪˌlɛktɹəˈkjuːʃən/

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electrocution (countable and uncountable, plural electrocutions)

1. The accidental death or suicide by electric shock.
2. Deliberate execution by electric shock, usually involving an electric chair.
3. (informal) A severe electric shock, whether fatal or not.

Formally, the words electrocution and electrocute imply fatality (and originally referred specifically to judicial execution, although the latter distinction has fallen out of use). Informally, however, these terms are sometimes used to refer to serious but nonfatal electric shocks. Preferred usage is to normally reserve electrocution for fatal electric shocks, and to use shock or electric shock for nonfatal ones.

• execution