Definition: execute

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

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

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

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

   2. To perform musically.

Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (2003-OCT-10) 

execute

   execution