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The chief officer of a shire or county, to whom is intrusted the execution of the laws, the serving of judicial writs and processes, and the preservation of the peace.

ing a ship; hence, trim; tidy; orderly. Even then she expressed her scorn for the lubbery executioner's mode of tying a knot, and did it herself in a shipshape orthodox manner. De Quincey. Keep everything shipshape, for I must go Tennyson.

er Larceny. -- Simple obligation (Rom. Law), an obligation which does not depend for its execution upon any event provided for by the parties, or is not to become void on the happening of any such event. Burrill.

ontaining only an outline or rough form; being in the manner of a sketch; incomplete. The execution is sketchy throughout; the head, in particular, is left in the rough. J. S. Harford.

The familiar knowledge of any art or science, united with readiness and dexterity in execution or performance, or in the application of the art or science to practical purposes; power to discern and execute; ability to perceive and perform; expertness; aptitude; as, the skill of a mathematician, physician, surgeon, mec…

A hurdle on which, formerly, traitors were drawn to the place of execution. [Eng.] Sir W. Scott.

ing in going down a hill. To put a spoke in one's wheel, to thwart or obstruct one in the execution of some design.

onsists of those officers about his person who are employed in carrying his commands into execution. See État Major.

e stat. 13 Edw. I., acknowledged in form prescribed, on which, if not paid at the day, an execution might be awarded against the body, lands, and goods of the debtor, and the obligee might hold the lands until out of the rents and profits of them the debt was satisfied; -- called also a pocket judgment. It is now falle…

To delay by force or craft; to drive away; -- usually with off; as, to stave off the execution of a project. And answered with such craft as women use, Guilty or guilties, to stave off a chance That breaks upon them perilously. Tennyson.

A mode of execution which produces the effect by dots or small points instead of lines.

to cease; to repress; to restrain; to suppress; to interrupt; to suspend; as, to stop the execution of a decree, the progress of vice, the approaches of old age or infirmity. Whose disposition all the world well knows Will not be rubbed nor stopped. Shak.

To debar, or cause to withdraw temporarily, from any privilege, from the execution of an office, from the enjoyment of income, etc.; as, to suspend a student from college; to suspend a member of a club. Good men should not be suspended from the exercise of their ministry and deprived of their livelihood for ceremonies…

Of the action or execution of law, etc.; as, the suspension of the habeas corpus act.

The method of performance in any art; technical skill; artistic execution; technique. They illustrate the method of nature, not the technic of a manlike Artificer. Tyndall.

An executioner. [Obs.] Chaucer.

tume, the fine arts, etc., the general effect of a work as a whole, without regard to the execution of the separate perts.

xcessive; immoderate; inordinate; as, an undue attachment to forms; an undue rigor in the execution of law. Undue influence (Law), any improper or wrongful constraint, machination, or urgency of persuasion, by which one's will is overcome and he is induced to do or forbear an act which he would not do, or would do, if…

One who sees the execution of an instrument, and subscribes it for the purpose of confirming its authenticity by his testimony; one who witnesses a will, a deed, a marriage, or the like. Privileged witnesses. (Law) See under Privileged. -- With a witness, effectually; to a great degree; with great force, so as to leav…

The art or skill of a workman; the execution or manner of making anything. Due reward For her praiseworthy workmanship to yield. Spenser. Beauty is nature's brag, and must be shown . . . Where most may wonder at the workmanship. Milton.