[ 'gɪləti:n , ˌgɪlə'ti:n ]
■ noun
1》 a machine with a heavy blade sliding vertically in grooves, used for beheading people.
2》 a device with a descending or sliding blade used for cutting paper or sheet metal.
3》 a surgical instrument with a sliding blade used typically for the removal of the tonsils.
4》 Brit. (in parliament) a procedure used to limit discussion of a legislative bill by fixing times at which various parts of it must be voted on.
■ verb
1》 execute by ~.
2》 cut with a ~.
3》 Brit. (in parliament) apply a ~ to (a bill or debate).
Origin
C18: from Fr., named after the French physician Joseph-Ignace Guillotin .