guillotine
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guillotine
A historical execution device consisting of a tall frame with a heavy, angled falling blade, used for beheading. It is especially associated with the French Revolution.
Während der Französischen Revolution starben Tausende von Menschen durch die Guillotine.
During the French Revolution, thousands of people died by the guillotine.
guillotine
In a figurative sense, a means or procedure used to bring something to an abrupt and final end, especially a political debate or process.
Mit dem Antrag zur Geschäftsordnung setzte die Opposition die parlamentarische Guillotine an, um die Debatte zu beenden.
With the point of order, the opposition applied the parliamentary guillotine to end the debate.
The guillotine is inseparably linked with the French Revolution (1789–1799). In most contexts where the word appears, it refers to this historical period.
Der französische König Ludwig XVI. wurde mit der Guillotine hingerichtet.
The French king Louis XVI was executed by guillotine.
In a historical context, 'die Guillotine' (the guillotine) is often used with verbs such as 'enden unter' (to end up under), 'sterben durch' (to die by), or 'jemanden zur Guillotine bringen' (to bring someone to the guillotine).
Viele Adlige endeten während der Revolution unter der Guillotine.
Many nobles ended up under the guillotine during the Revolution.
You can usually recognize the figurative meaning from words related to politics or debate, such as 'parlamentarisch' (parliamentary), 'Antrag' (motion), or 'Diskussion' (discussion). Here it is not about an execution, but about an abrupt end.
Die Regierung nutzte einen Trick, um die Debatte per Guillotine zu beenden.
The government used a trick to end the debate by guillotine.
