lapidation

[ lap-i-dey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of throwing stones at someone as a form of punishment:

   Any deviation from the norm might be punished by discrimination, torture, lapidation, or death.

2. the act of putting a person or animal to death by pelting them with stones:

   The stained glass near the rear of the church portrays the lapidation of St. Stephen the Martyr.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lapidation¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin lapidātiōn-, stem of lapidātiō “a stoning”; lapidate ( def ), -ion ( def )

Example Sentences

By the way they passed a sward of green, on which sundry little boys were engaged upon the lapidation of a lame duck.

From Project Gutenberg

By the way they passed a sward of green, on which sundry little boys were engaged upon the lapidation, or stoning, of a lame duck.

From Project Gutenberg

"Lapidation" is good; it is much more elegant than "stoning."

From Project Gutenberg