Definition of execute

The word "execute" has its roots in the Middle English "excupen," which in turn came from the Old French "escuteler" meaning "to cut out" or "to chisel." The Latin word "excavere" also contributed to its meaning, incorporating the prefix "ex-" meaning "out" or "completely," and the root "cauere" meaning "to hew" or "to remove." The original meaning of "execute" was related to carving or cutting out a shape, such as carving a statue or chiseling out a mold for metalwork. This meaning can still be seen in the word's use in architecture to describe building plans or designs, where architects speak of executing plans. Over time, the meaning of "execute" evolved to refer to completion of a task or carrying out of a plan, especially in legal contexts where it came to refer to bringing a sentence or judgment to completion, particularly of a sentence involving capital punishment. Today, the multi-faceted meaning of "execute" covers a wide range of situations, from computer programming, where it refers to running a set of instructions, to military and law enforcement uses where it has come to mean intentionally bringing about the end of a person's life through deadly force. However, the underlying root meaning of cutting out, completing, and achieving accuracy and clarity, remains present in all these meanings.