I. guil ‧ lo ‧ tine 1 /ˈɡɪlətiːn/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1700-1800 ; Language: French ; Origin: from Joseph Guillotin (1738-1814), French doctor who invented it ]
1 . a piece of equipment used to cut off the heads of criminals, especially in France in the past
2 . British English a piece of equipment used to cut large sheets of paper
3 . British English the setting of a time limit on a discussion in the British Parliament:
Opposition leaders accused the government of introducing a guillotine motion to stifle debate.
II. guillotine 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . to cut off someone’s head using a guillotine
2 . British English to limit the period of time allowed for the discussion of a possible new law in the British Parliament