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Decapitate is a verb that refers to the act of cutting off the head of an individual or creature, typically resulting in immediate death. The term is derived from the Latin word "caput," meaning "head," and the prefix "de-," which denotes removal or separation. Decapitation has been historically employed as a method of execution, punishment, or in ritualistic settings.
To decapitate someone or something implies the removal of the head from the body by the use of a sharp object, such as a sword, guillotine, axe, or any other weapon specifically designed for this purpose. The consequences of decapitation are often fatal, as it severs the vital connection between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to swift loss of blood and near-instant death. Due to the abrupt nature and severity of this act, decapitation is often seen as a brutal, gruesome form of violence.
Furthermore, decapitation can also be used metaphorically to describe the removal or elimination of a key figure or leader within a particular context, such as politics or an organization. This symbolic interpretation of decapitation alludes to the idea that the targeted person's authority, influence, or power is severed, causing a significant disruption or change within the affected domain.
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To remove the head; specifically to cut off the head of a fetus to facilitate delivery in cases of irremediable dystocia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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To behead; to cut off the head.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "decapitate" originated from the Latin term "decapitare", which is a combination of two Latin words: "de", meaning "down", and "caput", meaning "head". The word eventually made its way into Middle English as "decapiten" before evolving into its present form.
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have decapitated
you
would have decapitated
he/she/it
would have decapitated
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would have decapitated
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would have decapitated
I
would have decapitate
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would have decapitate
he/she/it
would have decapitate
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would have decapitate
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would have decapitate
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been decapitating
you
would have been decapitating
he/she/it
would have been decapitating
we
would have been decapitating
they
would have been decapitating
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would decapitate
you
would decapitate
he/she/it
would decapitate
we
would decapitate
they
would decapitate
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be decapitating
you
would be decapitating
he/she/it
would be decapitating
we
would be decapitating
they
would be decapitating
FUTURE
I
will decapitate
you
will decapitate
he/she/it
will decapitate
we
will decapitate
they
will decapitate
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be decapitating
you
will be decapitating
he/she/it
will be decapitating
we
will be decapitating
they
will be decapitating
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have decapitated
you
will have decapitated
he/she/it
will have decapitated
we
will have decapitated
they
will have decapitated
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been decapitating
you
will have been decapitating
he/she/it
will have been decapitating
we
will have been decapitating
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will have been decapitating
IMPERATIVE
you
decapitate
we
let´s decapitate
to decapitate
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was decapitating
you
were decapitating
he/she/it
was decapitating
we
were decapitating
they
were decapitating
PAST PARTICIPLE
decapitated
PAST PERFECT
I
had decapitated
you
had decapitated
he/she/it
had decapitated
we
had decapitated
they
had decapitated
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been decapitating
you
had been decapitating
he/she/it
had been decapitating
we
had been decapitating
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had been decapitating
PRESENT
I
decapitate
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decapitate
he/she/it
decapitates
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decapitate
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decapitate
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am decapitating
you
are decapitating
he/she/it
is decapitating
we
are decapitating
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are decapitating
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
decapitating
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have decapitated
you
have decapitated
he/she/it
has decapitated
we
have decapitated
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have decapitated
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been decapitating
you
have been decapitating
he/she/it
has been decapitating
we
have been decapitating
they
have been decapitating
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
decapitate
SIMPLE PAST
I
decapitated
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decapitated
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decapitated
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decapitated
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decapitated
