Pronunciation: [ɡˈɪlətˌiːnɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "guillotining" is spelled with the letter combination "ill" which makes the /ɪl/ sound in English. The "o" after "l" changes the pronunciation of "ill" to /ɒ/ as in the word "not". The "-ine" at the end makes the /aɪn/ sound. Therefore, the IPA phonetic transcription of "guillotining" is /ˈɡɪlətaɪnɪŋ/. This word refers to the act of executing someone using a guillotine, a machine that cuts off a person's head.
Guillotining refers to the act or process of executing a person by means of the guillotine, which is a device designed for carrying out capital punishment by decapitation. The guillotine consists of a tall upright frame with a blade attached at the top that is released and drops swiftly, severing the victim's head from their body.
Historically, guillotining gained prominence during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. It was introduced as a more efficient and egalitarian method of execution, intended to replace the often gruesome and slow process of hanging or beheading with an axe. The guillotine was perceived as a symbol of modernity and equality, as it sought to provide a quick and humane death sentence, theoretically sparing the executed individual from prolonged suffering.
The term "guillotining" is also used metaphorically to describe swift and decisive actions that lead to the abrupt and complete elimination or removal of something or someone. In this sense, it implies the termination or severance of a person, organization, or concept in a swift and definitive manner. The metaphorical use of the term often carries a negative connotation, as it implies the abrupt and irreversible end of something without due deliberation or consideration.
In summary, guillotining primarily refers to the execution method by means of the guillotine, and secondarily, it is used metaphorically to describe swift and decisive actions that lead to the abrupt and complete elimination or removal of something or someone.
The word guillotining originates from the name of Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, a French physician and politician, who proposed the use of a mechanical device for executions during the French Revolution. The etymology of the word is derived from Guillotin's surname, and the -ing suffix denotes the present participle form of a verb. Guillotin's device, which rapidly beheaded individuals, became widely known as the guillotine, and the act of execution by this method came to be referred to as guillotining.
