1. [v]  sign in the presence of witnesses
2. [v]  bring to execution; "carry out a task"; "carry out the surgery"
3. [v]  to act or perform an action; "John did the painting, the weeding, and he cleaned out the gutters"
4. [v]  socially sanctioned killing as a means of punishment; "In some states, criminals are executed"
5. [v]  murder execution-style
6. [v]  extend beyond reasonable limits; "carry too far"; "She carries her ideas to the extreme"
7. [v]  carry out the legalities of; "execute a will or a deed"

1. \Ex"e*cute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Executed}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Executing}.] [F. ex['e]cuter, L. executus, exsecutus,
   p. p. of exequi to follow to the end, pursue; ex out + sequi
   to follow. See {Second}, {Sue} to follow up, and cf.
   {Exequy}.]
   1. To follow out or through to the end; to carry out into
      complete effect; to complete; to finish; to effect; to
      perform.
            Why delays His hand to execute what his decree Fixed
            on this day?                          --Milton.
   2. To complete, as a legal instrument; to perform what is
      required to give validity to, as by signing and perhaps
      sealing and delivering; as, to execute a deed, lease,
      mortgage, will, etc.
   3. To give effect to; to do what is provided or required by;
      to perform the requirements or stimulations of; as, to
      execute a decree, judgment, writ, or process.
   4. To infect capital punishment on; to put to death in
      conformity to a legal sentence; as, to execute a traitor.
   5. Too put to death illegally; to kill. [Obs.] --Shak.
   6. (Mus.) To perform, as a piece of music, either on an
      instrument or with the voice; as, to execute a difficult
      part brilliantly.
   Syn: To accomplish; effect; fulfill; achieve; consummate;
        finish; complete. See {Accomplish}.
   

2. \Ex"e*cute\, v. i.
   1. To do one's work; to act one's part of purpose. [R.]
      --Hayward.
   2. To perform musically.
   

execution