Executive
/ɪɡˈzɛkjətɪv/noun
Relating to the branch of government that implements laws, or a person responsible for managing an organization.
Did you know?Executive and execution descend from Latin exsequi, meaning “to follow out” or “carry through,” which explains how carrying out an order became associated with carrying out a death sentence.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sekw-
“To follow or pursue”
Classical Latin
Latin
sequī
“To follow”
Classical Latin
Latin
exsequī
“To follow through, carry out, or perform completely”
Late Latin
Latin
exsecutivus
“Relating to carrying out or performing”
15th Century
English
executif
“Carrying out or enforcing; acting in performance of a task”
Modern English
English
executive
“A manager or the branch of government that puts decisions and laws into effect”