execute

Everyday

1. (law) To kill someone as a punishment ordered by a court or ruler. tree →
2. (formal) To carry out a plan, an order or a task. tree →
3. To perform a movement or skill well, such as a dance step or a dive. tree →
4. (computers) To run a program or a command. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons it means putting a person to death as punishment, for example kings and traitors long ago. In sport, dance and computing it means doing or running something exactly: «execute a perfect cartwheel», «the computer executes the code». Phrases: execute a plan, execute an order, be executed for, execute a program.

Examples

• The gymnast executed a perfect backflip. tree →
• The team executed their plan and won the match. tree →
• When you press Enter, the computer executes the command. tree →
• In history we learned that the king was executed long ago. tree →
• The soldiers executed the general's orders at once. tree →
• The skater executed a tricky jump on the ice. tree →
• The robot will execute each step in order. tree →
• At sight of the gold, Scheih Ibrahim set off at once to execute the commission. tree →

Note

Nouns: execution (the act of executing), executive (a manager in a company), executioner (the person who carried out death sentences). An «executor» is the person who carries out the wishes in someone's will. The killing sense is serious and sad; in sport and computing the word is neutral and common.

In Jewish tradition

To carry out or do, as in God "doing" justice for orphans and widows or carrying out vengeance and the law. In the Psalms it also means to bring about judgment on wrongdoers, either by God or by His faithful people.

Interpretation. The care for the fatherless, widow and stranger is taken as a model for how Jews should treat the weak. The psalmist asks God to execute judgment on those who chase him, and the tradition reads this as trusting God to bring justice.

Examples

• He doth execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. (Torah DEU.10.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Moses spoke unto the people, saying: 'Arm ye men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian, to execute the LORD'S vengeance on Midian. (Torah NUM.31.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon a man, and he be jealous over his wife; then shall he set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law. (Torah NUM.5.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• When wilt Thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? (Writings PSA.119.84, JPS 1917) tree →
• To execute vengeance upon the nations, and chastisements upon the peoples; (Writings PSA.149.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• To execute upon them the judgment written; He is the glory of all His saints. (Writings PSA.149.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Nouns: execution (the act of executing), executive (a manager in a company), executioner (the person who carried out death sentences). An «executor» is the person who carries out the wishes in someone's will. The killing sense is serious and sad; in sport and computing the word is neutral and common.