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.
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.
demolition / termination
'der Abbruch' and 'die Guillotine' can both express an abrupt end. 'der Abbruch' is the normal word for the premature end of a process, action, or relationship. In this relation, 'die Guillotine' is meant figuratively and sounds much stronger. It is used more when a procedure, debate, or political process is brought to a harsh and final end. In everyday language, people usually say 'Abbruch'; 'Guillotine' sounds dramatic and is more suited to formal or political contexts.
Die Opposition kritisiert die neue Regel als Guillotine für eine offene Debatte.
The opposition criticizes the new rule as a guillotine for open debate.
Der Abbruch der Verhandlungen war nach dem Streit kaum noch zu vermeiden.
After the dispute, the breakdown of the negotiations was almost impossible to avoid.