Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

noyade

noun

/nɔɪˈɑːd/

Definition

A method of execution by drowning.

Examples

The notorious noyade during the Reign of Terror was considered a brutal form of punishment.
Reports from the time describe the horrors of the noyade as it was used against dissenters.
The term comes from the French word ‘noyer,’ meaning ‘to drown.’

Meaning

The term ‘noyade’ refers to a specific practice where individuals are subjected to drowning as a form of capital punishment. Historically, this term is often associated with events during the French Revolution, particularly as a means to eliminate political prisoners.