What does garroter mean?
A garroter is a person who garrotes, meaning that the person strangles another with a cord or similar device. In its most characteristic historical sense, the word refers to an executioner who carried out a death sentence by this method, sometimes using a mechanical windlass to tighten the cord. The term therefore carries associations with judicial execution, secrecy, and the grim mechanics of strangulation rather than merely suggesting someone who chokes or suffocates someone. In modern writing, garroter is most likely to appear in historical, literary, or deliberately macabre contexts. It should not be confused with garrote, which can name either the act of strangling or the device used to perform it. Although still readily understood, garroter is not common in ordinary contemporary English.
nounOne who garrotes, especially an executioner who strangles a condemned person with a garrote.
- One who garrotes, especially an executioner who strangles a condemned person with a garrote.
"The executioner tightened the cord, fulfilling his duties as a garroter."
"The executioner tightened the cord, fulfilling his duties as a garroter."
"In the novel, a masked garroter is hired to silence a powerful rival."
The regular plural of the noun.
"Local chronicles recorded the garroters employed by successive rulers."
A garroter was the specialist at the strangler's craft, tightening a cord with mechanical precision.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of garroter
The word is an English agent noun formed by adding the suffix -er to the verb garrote, meaning to strangle with a cord or similar device. Garrote was borrowed through French from Spanish garrote, a term associated both with strangulation and with devices used for tightening or strangling. The older English spelling garrotte and the form garroting reflect the historical development of the borrowed verb.
How garroter is actually used
This is a rare, chiefly historical or literary word. It has a strong association with judicial execution by strangulation and may consequently sound grim or archaic.
Easily confused with garroter
A garroter is a person who performs the act, whereas a garrote is the act itself or the device used to strangle someone.