electrocide

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From electro- +‎ -cide.

Noun[edit]

electrocide (uncountable)

  1. (dated) Execution by electrocution, usually on an electric chair.

Usage notes[edit]

  • When electrocute and electrocution were originally coined, they were intended to apply specifically to judicial execution by electricity. However, electrocide has fallen out of use, and electrocute and electrocution are now used to refer to all fatal electric shocks, whether judicially ordered or not.