Ex'e-cu'tion, n.

n. [Lat. executio, Fr. exécution, Pr. executio, Sp. execucion, It. esecuzione.] 1. The act of executing; the act of carrying into effect or to completion; performance; achievement; consummation; hence, legal accomplishment; as, the execution of a plan, a work, and the like. The excellence of the subject contributed much to the happiness of the execution. Dryden.

2. A putting to death as a legal penalty; the carrying out of a capital sentence upon one; as, the execution of a murderer. “A warrant for his execution.” Shak.
3. The act or mode of performing works of art, of performing on an instrument, of engraving, and the like; as, the execution of a statue, painting, a piece of music.

Good execution is always aimed at by the true artist. Fairholt.

4. (Law.) (a.) A judicial writ by which an officer is empowered to carry a judgment into effect; final process. (b.) The act of signing and sealing a legal instrument, or giving it the forms required to render it a valid act; as, the execution of a deed, or a will.
5. That which is executed or accomplished; effect; — usually with do. “To do some fatal execution.” Shak.
6. The act of sacking a town. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.