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Guilʹlotine (3 syl.)

,

So named from Joseph Ignace Guillotin, a French physician, who proposed its adoption to prevent unnecessary pain (1738–1814).

⁂ It was facetiously called “Mdlle. Guillotin” or “Guillotin’s daughter.” It was introduced April 25th, 1792, and is still used in France. A previous instrument invented by Dr. Antoine Louis was called a Louisette (3 syl.).

The Maiden (q.v.), introduced into Scotland (1566) by the Regent Morton, when the laird of Pennicuick was to be beheaded, was a similar instrument Discontinued in 1681.

“It was but this very day that the daughter of M. de Guillotin was recognised by her fatber in the National Assembly, and it should properly be calledMademoiselle Guillotin.ʹ”—Dumas: The Countess de Charny, chap. xvii.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Guess (I)
Guest
Gueux
Gugner
Gui
Guiderius
Guides (pron. gheed)
Guido
Guido Francischini
Guildhall
Guillotine
Guinea
Guinea-dropper
Guinea Fowl
Guinea-hen
Guineapig (Stock Exchange term)
Guineapig (A)
Guineapig (A)
Guinever
Guinevere
Guingelot

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Inventors Punished

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Guillotine