behead

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

behead
    v 1: cut the head of; "the French King was beheaded during the
         Revolution" [syn: {decapitate}, {behead}, {decollate}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Behead \Be*head"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beheaded}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Beheading}.] [OE. bihefden, AS. behe['a]fdian; pref. be-
   + he['a]fod head. See {Head}.]
   To sever the head from; to take off the head of.
   [1913 Webster]

from Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

Behead
a method of taking away life practised among the Egyptians (Gen.
40:17-19). There are instances of this mode of punishment also
among the Hebrews (2 Sam. 4:8; 20:21,22; 2 Kings 10:6-8). It is
also mentioned in the New Testament (Matt. 14:8-12; Acts 12:2).

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