execute

[ek-si-kyoot] /ˈɛk sɪˌkyut/
verb (used with object), executed, executing.
1.
to carry out; accomplish:
to execute a plan or order.
2.
to perform or do:
to execute a maneuver; to execute a gymnastic feat.
3.
to inflict capital punishment on; put to death according to law.
4.
to murder; assassinate.
5.
to produce in accordance with a plan or design:
a painting executed by an unknown artist.
6.
to perform or play (a piece of music).
7.
Law.
  1. to give effect or force to (a law, decree, judicial sentence, etc.).
  2. to carry out the terms of (a will).
  3. to transact or carry through (a contract, mortgage, etc.) in the manner prescribed by law; complete and give validity to (a legal instrument) by fulfilling the legal requirements, as by signing or sealing.
8.
Computers. to run (a program or routine) or to carry out (an instruction in a program).
verb (used without object), executed, executing.
9.
to perform or accomplish something, as an assigned task.
10.
Sports. to perform properly the fundamental moves or mechanics of a sport, game, position, or particular play; show smoothness in necessary skills:
We just didn't execute defensively.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English executen < Old French executer < Medieval Latin execūtāre, derivative of Latin execūtus, past participle of ex(s)equī to follow up, carry out (punishment), execute; see ex-1, sequence
Related forms
executable, adjective
executer, noun
nonexecutable, adjective
outexecute, verb (used with object), outexecuted, outexecuting.
preexecute, verb (used with object), preexecuted, preexecuting.
reexecute, verb (used with object), reexecuted, reexecuting.
unexecutable, adjective
unexecuted, adjective
unexecuting, adjective
well-executed, adjective
Synonyms
1. achieve, complete, finish, consummate. 7a. enforce, administer.
Synonym Study
2. See perform. 3. See kill1.
Examples from the web for executable
  • The buffer used to return the executable file's name must be large enough to hold the returned value.
  • Theoretically, a virus could attach itself to any executable program.
  • C++ goes a long way in relating higher level human abstractions and the production of executable code.
  • The second is a cache for a web app's executable code.
  • The patch will search for installed versions and copy the appropriate fixed uninstaller executable to the installation.
  • Input to each executable has to be renamed or copied to the basic file name of the executable.
  • Click the executable file to install the scripts on your machine.
  • There will be no additional information added to the executable files below.
British Dictionary definitions for executable

executable

/ˈɛksɪˌkjuːtəbəl/
adjective
1.
(of a computer program) able to be run
noun
2.
a file containing a program that will run as soon as it is opened

execute

/ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt/
verb (transitive)
1.
to put (a condemned person) to death; inflict capital punishment upon
2.
to carry out; complete; perform; do: to execute an order
3.
to perform; accomplish; effect: to execute a pirouette
4.
to make or produce: to execute a drawing
5.
to carry into effect (a judicial sentence, the law, etc); enforce
6.
(law) to comply with legal formalities in order to render (a deed, etc) effective, as by signing, sealing, and delivering
7.
to sign (a will) in the presence of witnesses and in accordance with other legal formalities
8.
to carry out the terms of (a contract, will, etc)
Derived Forms
executer, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French executer, back formation from executeurexecutor
Word Origin and History for executable

execute

v.

late 14c., "to carry into effect," from Old French executer (14c.), from Medieval Latin executare, from Latin execut-/exsecut-, past participle stem of exequi/exsequi "to follow out" (see execution). Meaning "to inflict capital punishment" is from late 15c. Related: Executed; executing.

executable in Technology
operating system
A binary file containing a program in machine language which is ready to be executed (run).
The term might also be, but generally isn't, applied to scripts which are interpreted by a command line interpreter. Executables are distinguished in Unix by having the execute permission bits set, at least for the owner. MS-DOS uses the filename extension ".exe".
(1997-06-21)