execute

Where does the word "execute" come from? It comes from Latin sequi, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1400s).

Execute’s story begins in Latin: sequi meant “to follow.” To follow, combined with ex- (out). Within Latin, it grew into exsequi by ancient. To follow out, to carry out, from ex- and sequi, with irregular past participle executus. From there it passed into Old French as executer by medieval. Carried into French for carrying out a plan or order. It reached English by 1400s as execute. Settled as the English word for carrying out a plan, or putting someone to death by law. Today, execute means to carry out or put into effect a plan, or to put someone to death by legal authority.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sequi "to follow", to follow, combined with ex- (out).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient exsequi "to follow out, to carry out", to follow out, to carry out, from ex- and sequi, with irregular past participle executus.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval executer "to carry out a plan or order", carried into French for carrying out a plan or order.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1400s execute "to carry out a plan, or to put someone to death by legal authority", settled as the English word for carrying out a plan, or putting someone to death by law.