deathsman

[ deths-muhn ]

noun

, Archaic.

, plural deaths·men.

1. an executioner.

Word History and Origins

Origin of deathsman¹

First recorded in 1580–90; death + 's ¹ + man

Example Sentences

The deathsman sold me a black coat of mail, a beaked helmet and a dead spear .

From Time Magazine Archive

Far more expressive than our term of executioner is their solemn one of the deathsman; than our vagabond, their scatterling; than our idiot or lunatic, their moonling,—a word which, Mr. Gifford observes, should not have been suffered to grow obsolete.

From Project Gutenberg

Those who were condemned to be smothered to death by sinking downe into the softe bottome of an high built bedde of roses, neuer dide so sweete a death as I shoulde die, if her rose coloured disdaine were my deathsman.

From Project Gutenberg

But that the guilt of murder bucklers thee,     And I should rob the deathsman of his fee,     Quitting thee thereby of ten thousand shames,     And that my sovereign's presence makes me mild,     I would, false murd'rous coward, on thy knee     Make thee beg pardon for thy passed speech     And say it was thy mother that thou meant'st,     That thou thyself was born in bastardy;     And, after all this fearful homage done,     Give thee thy hire and send thy soul to hell,     Pernicious blood-sucker of sleeping men.

From Project Gutenberg

In his appointed hour, all was forthcoming— Judge, axe, and deathsman veiled! and my poor eyes Descry—as would thou saw'st!—a figure veiled, Uplooming there—afar, like sunrise, coming!

From Project Gutenberg