Definition of "guillotine"

(historical, also figuratively) A machine used for the application of capital punishment by decapitation, consisting of a tall upright frame from which is suspended a heavy diagonal-edged blade which is dropped onto the neck of the person to be executed; also, execution using this machine.  quotations

(by extension)

1. A device or machine with a cutting blade.

   1. A device used for cutting the pages of books, stacks of paper, etc., to straight edges, usually by means of a hinged or sliding blade attached to a flat platform.  examples

   2. (surgery) An instrument with a sliding blade for cutting the tonsils, uvula, or other body parts.  examples

2. (law, politics, informal)

   1. (Britain) A parliamentary procedure for fixing the dates when various stages of discussion of a bill must end, to ensure that the enactment of the bill proceeds expeditiously.  quotations  examples

      Quotations

      • The right hon. Gentleman is making a great stooshie about time in relation to this Bill, but was it not the case that, when the SNP [Scottish National Party] Scottish Government introduced their continuity Bill in the Scottish Parliament, they operated a ruthless guillotine to prevent proper scrutiny of it? That is the case; they ran a guillotine on that Bill, and there was a very limited amount of time allowed for debate and scrutiny, yet he complains about that happening here.

        2019 October 22, Stephen Kerr, Member of Parliament for Stirling, “Second Reading of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill”, in House of Commons Debates (House of Commons)‎, volume 666, archived from the original on 24 October 2019, column 860

   2. (US) A legislative motion that debate be ended and a vote taken; a cloture.  examples

To use a guillotine (on someone or something).

1. (also figuratively) To execute (someone) with a guillotine.  examples

2. To cut or trim (a body part, a stack of paper, etc.) with a guillotine.  examples

(law, politics, informal)

1. (Britain) To end discussion (about a parliamentary bill or part of one) by invoking a guillotine procedure.  examples

2. (US) To end (a legislative debate) by invoking cloture.  examples