ex-

out, away; also thoroughly

Forms

ex-
e- — Shortened in Latin before certain consonants.
ef- — Used before f in Latin.
es- — Developed from ex- in French.
s- — In some French borrowings, es- lost its initial e.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *eghs, ‘out.’

Note

The outward sense could extend to carrying an action through completely.

143 / 239

verb

execute

EK-sih-kyoot/ˈeksɪkjuːt/

To carry out an action with the required steps.

The technician executes the assembly plan by attaching the cart's final wheel.

A woman technician carrying out an assembly plan by fitting the final wheel onto a wooden cart, pictorial unlettered diagram beside her matching the finished cart.

Etymology

exLatinout, away; also thoroughly

+ecuteLatinfollow

“Out” and “follow” combine in the image of following something out. This became carrying a course of action through, so executing a plan means putting it into effect.

In context

National Geographic31:42

… we are currently on our way to this place to execute a narcotics search warrant.

Caribbean Cargo & Illegal Meds (Full Episode) | To Catch a Smuggler

More examples

We executed the evacuation plan when the alarm sounded.
The dancers execute each turn with precision.
Both parties execute the contract by signing before a witness.

Forms

execute · executes · executed · executing

execution noun — The act of carrying something out.

Similar words

perform: Often emphasizes doing a task rather than following a plan.
implement: Emphasizes putting a plan or policy into practical use.