Main Entry:

guil·lo·tine

Pronunciation:

\ˈgi-lə-ˌtēn; ˌgē-(y)ə-ˈ, ˈgē-(y)ə-ˌ\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, from Joseph Guillotin †1814 French physician

Date:

1793

1: a machine for beheading by means of a heavy blade that slides down in vertical guides2: a shearing machine or instrument (as a paper cutter) that in action resembles a guillotine3chiefly British : closure by the imposition of a predetermined time limit on the consideration of specific sections of a bill or portions of other legislative business

— guillotine transitive verb