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Mr_Chubkins t1_j29jqy7 wrote

Reply to comment by radio_allah in TIL Archduchess Mathilde of Austria accidentally set her dress alight and immolated herself while trying to hide a cigarette from her father by Brotherdodge

An electrocution. The person you replied to was incorrect.

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SplittingHares t1_j29ws4d wrote

if it's not deadly, it's called electric shock.

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Mr_Chubkins t1_j2a2olv wrote

It can be, but is not always. From Merriam-Webster Dictionary: electrocute, verb, to kill or severely injure by electric shock.

I understand that the origins of the word come from execute, and that its original meaning was always to kill with electricity, but that is no longer the case. Just as how decimate used to mean killing 10% but now has further meaning, so does electrocution.

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