decollation

plural decollations

1. countableuncountableThe act of beheading someone.

   The epoch of the Martyrs here [in Cordova] began with the decollation of the priest Perfecto, in 850.

   1912, J. D. M. Ford, “Spain”, in Charles G[eorge] Herbermann, Edward A[loysius] Pace, Condé B[enoist] Pallen, Thomas J[oseph] Shahan, John J[oseph] Wynne, editors, The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church, volume XIV (Simony–Tournely), New York, N.Y.: Robert Appleton Company, →OCLC, page 178, column 1

   2 more examples

   She was borne Jan. 29ᵗʰ, morning, scil. the day before the anniversary-day of the king's [Charles I of England] decollation.

   1669–1696 (date written), John Aubrey, “Deborah Aubrey”, in Andrew Clark, editor, ‘Brief Lives,’ Chiefly of Contemporaries, […], volume I (A–H), Oxford, Oxfordshire: Clarendon Press, published 1898, →OCLC, page 34

   His Majeſty K. Ch. the firſt; to whoſe body after his decollation in the latter end of Jan. 1648 he put his hands to open and embalm, and when that was done, he ſewed his head to his body

   1691, [Anthony Wood], Athenæ Oxonienses. An Exact History of All the Writers and Bishops who have had Their Education in the Most Ancient and Famous University of Oxford from the Fifteenth Year of King Henry the Seventh, Dom. 1500, to the End of the Year 1690. […], volume II (Completing the Whole Work), London: […] Tho[mas] Bennet […], →OCLC, column 765

2. countableuncountableA picture of a decapitation, especially of the head of St John the Baptist on a charger.
3. countableuncountableThe festival of the Baptist, celebrated on 29 August.