to stone
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to stone
To kill someone by throwing stones at them until they die. This was a historical form of execution or lynch justice.
In der Antike war es in manchen Kulturen eine Strafe, für bestimmte Vergehen gesteinigt zu werden.
In ancient times, in some cultures it was a punishment to be stoned for certain offenses.
The verb 'steinigen' (to stone) is derived from the noun 'der Stein' (stone). It literally describes the act of throwing stones at someone.
Die wütende Menge begann, Steine auf den Verurteilten zu werfen.
The angry crowd began throwing stones at the condemned man.
The literal meaning (to kill someone with stones) is used almost only in historical or religious contexts. In modern usage, the figurative meaning (to harshly criticize someone publicly) is almost always meant.
In dem historischen Roman wird eine Frau gesteinigt.
In the historical novel, a woman is stoned.
The verb 'steinigen' (to stone) is always used with an accusative object. You ask: Whom or what is being stoned?
Die Kritiker steinigten den Regisseur für seinen neuen Film.
The critics stoned the director for his new film.
In the figurative meaning, 'steinigen' (to stone) is often connected with the place where the criticism appears. Typical formulations are 'jemanden öffentlich steinigen' (to stone someone publicly) or 'jemanden in der Presse steinigen' (to stone someone in the press).
Nach dem Skandal wurde der Politiker in den sozialen Medien regelrecht gesteinigt.
After the scandal, the politician was practically stoned on social media.
to kill
'töten' and 'steinigen' both have to do, in one meaning, with the death of a person. 'töten' is general and does not say how someone dies. 'steinigen' is very specific: a person is killed by others throwing stones at them. The word is used especially in historical accounts, religious or legal topics, or for very brutal violence. For normal or general statements, 'töten' is the appropriate word; 'steinigen' requires this specific process.
Im Geschichtsunterricht lasen wir von Menschen, die früher gesteinigt wurden.
In history class, we read about people who were stoned in the past.
Der schwere Sturm tötete viele Tiere in der Region.
The severe storm killed many animals in the region.