a capital punishment, wherein the head is severed from the body by the stroke of an axe, sword, or other cutting instrument.

Beheading was a military punishment among the Romans, known by the name of decollatio. Among them the head was laid on a cippus or block, placed in a pit dug for the purpose; in the army, without the valvum; in the city, without the walls, at a place near the porta decumana. Preparatory to the stroke, the criminal was tied to a stake, and whipped with rods. In the early ages the blow was given with an axe; but in after-times with a sword, which was thought the more reputable manner of dying. The execution was but clumsily performed in the first times; but afterwards they grew more expert, and took the head off clean, with one circular stroke.

In England and France, beheading is the punishment of nobles; being reputed not to derogate from nobility, as hanging does.

In Scotland they do not behead with an axe, as in England; nor with a sword, as in Holland and France; but with an edged instrument called the Maiden.