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excise

noun
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ex·​cise | \ ˈek-ˌsīz How to pronounce excise (audio) , -ˌsīs \

Definition of excise

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : an internal tax levied on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of a commodity
2 : any of various taxes on privileges often assessed in the form of a license or fee

excise

verb (1)
ex·​cise | \ ˈek-ˌsīz How to pronounce excise (audio) , -ˌsīs, ik-ˈsīz \
excised; excising

Definition of excise (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

: to impose an excise on

excise

verb (2)
ex·​cise | \ ik-ˈsīz How to pronounce excise (audio) \
excised; excising

Definition of excise (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to remove by or as if by excision

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Did you know? Example Sentences Phrases Containing excise Learn More About excise

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Did you know?

Excise takes part of its meaning from the prefix ex-, "out". A writer may excise long passages of a novel to reduce it to a reasonable length, or a film director may excise a scene that might give offense. A surgeon may excise a large cancerous tumor, or make a tiny excision to examine an organ's tissue. Excise is also a noun, meaning a tax paid on something manufactured and sold in the U.S. Much of what consumers pay for tobacco or alcohol products go to cover the excise taxes that the state and federal government charge the manufacturers. But it's only accidental that this noun is spelled like the verb, since it comes from a completely different source.

Examples of excise in a Sentence

Noun an excise imposed on a number of goods

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First Known Use of excise

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1652, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1634, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for excise

Noun

obsolete Dutch excijs (now accijns), from Middle Dutch, probably modification of Old French assise session, assessment — more at assize

Verb (2)

Latin excisus, past participle of excidere, from ex- + caedere to cut

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Learn More About excise

Time Traveler for excise

Time Traveler

The first known use of excise was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near excise

excisable

excise

exciseman

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Cite this Entry

“Excise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excise. Accessed 20 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for excise

excise

transitive verb
ex·​cise | \ ik-ˈsīz How to pronounce excise (audio) \
excised; excising

Medical Definition of excise

: to remove by excision : resect excise a tumor

excise

noun
ex·​cise | \ ˈek-ˌsīz, -ˌsīs How to pronounce excise (audio) \

Legal Definition of excise

1 : a tax levied on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of a commodity — compare income tax, property tax
2 : any of various taxes on privileges often assessed in the form of a license or other fee — compare direct tax

Other Words from excise

excise transitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on excise

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for excise

Nglish: Translation of excise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of excise for Arabic Speakers

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