guillotine

Short definition from Wiktionary

Noun

1. 1
   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.
2. 2
   A device or machine with a cutting blade: 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.
3. 3
   A device or machine with a cutting blade: An instrument with a sliding blade for cutting the tonsils, uvula, or other body parts.
4. 4
   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.
5. 5
   A legislative motion that debate be ended and a vote taken; a cloture.

Verb

1. 1
   To use a guillotine (on someone or something): To execute (someone) with a guillotine.
2. 2
   To use a guillotine (on someone or something): To cut or trim (a body part, a stack of paper, etc.) with a guillotine.
3. 3
   To end discussion (about a parliamentary bill or part of one) by invoking a guillotine procedure.
4. 4
   To end (a legislative debate) by invoking cloture.