n. & v.
--n.
1. a machine with a heavy knife-blade sliding vertically in grooves, used for beheading.
2 a device for cutting paper, metal, etc.
3 a surgical instrument for excising the uvula etc.
4 Parl. a method of preventing delay in the discussion of a legislative bill by fixing times at which various parts of it must be voted on.
--v.tr.
1. use a guillotine on.
2 Parl. end discussion of (a bill) by applying a guillotine.
Derivatives:
guillotiner n.
Etymology: F f. J.-I. Guillotin, Fr. physician d. 1814, who recommended its use for executions in 1789