eletrocussão

• eletrocução (proscribed)
• electrocussão (pre-1990 spelling)

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.^[1]

• Hyphenation: e‧le‧tro‧cus‧são

eletrocussão f (plural eletrocussões)

1. electrocution (severe electric shock)

   É essencial levar as vítimas de eletrocussão ao hospital o mais rápido possível.

   It is essential to take electrocution victims to the hospital as soon as possible.

   1. electrocution (accidental death by electric shock)

      Synonym: eletroplessão

      • 2020 February 6, “Homem morre eletrocutado trabalhando em uma obra em Coronel Fabriciano [Man dies by electrocution while working in construction in Coronel Fabriciano]”, in G1‎^[3] (news article), archived from the original on 7 February 2020:

        A perícia da Polícia Civil foi acionada e a suspeita é de que a vítima tenha sofrido eletrocussão devido a uma extensão de energia, que estava ao lado do corpo.

        The Civil Police forensics team was called to the scene, and it is suspected that the victim suffered electrocution due to a power extension cord, which was next to the body.

   2. electrocution (execution by electric shock in an electric chair)

      A eletrocussão ainda é usada em prisioneiros estadunidenses.

      Electrocution is still used on American prisoners.

• 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,^[2][3][4] but rejected by others.^[5][6][7]
• Some commentators further reject the use of eletrocussão for accidental deaths and prescribe the use of eletroplessão instead.^[8] This view is not shared by dictionaries and is rejected by other commentators.^[9]
• The spelling eletrocução is common but is generally proscribed. Notably, the Aulete online dictionary considers both spellings valid; it posits different derivations for the two, although they are defined as completely synonymous.^[1][5]
• See more at eletrocutar, eletrocutir.