French Conversation · Level 7
87 words
French word
guillotine
Pronunciation
IPA/gijotin/
Meaning
- feminine nounguillotine
Example
La guillotine est exposée au musée.
The guillotine is on display at the museum.
More examples
J'ai utilisé une guillotine à papier pour couper les affiches.
I used a paper cutter to cut the posters.
Core concept
A suspended blade falls with decisive force, suggesting both literal decapitation and a swift measure that cuts away a problem.
Common phrases
une guillotine à papier
a paper cutter
la guillotine de bureau
the office paper cutter
Similar words
décapitation: The act of killing someone by cutting off their head.
exécution: The carrying out of a death sentence imposed by a court or authority.
assassinat: The planned or deliberate killing of someone as a criminal act.
Definition in French
Appareil conçu pour exécuter la décapitation par la chute d'une lame ; par extension, mesure rapide et radicale.
Word origin
The name guillotine was formed from Joseph-Ignace Guillotin's surname after he advocated this type of execution during the French Revolution.
Usage tips
- In modern French, une guillotine can also mean a paper-cutting machine in printing and bookbinding contexts.
Other meanings
- paper cutternoun
Related words
- guillotinerguillotineverb
- guillotinéguillotinedadjective