Executable

[ek-si-kyoot] /ˈɛk sɪˌkyut/

verb (used with object), executed, executing.
1.
to carry out; accomplish:
to execute a plan or order.
2.
to perform or do:
to execute a maneuver; to execute a gymnastic feat.
3.
to inflict capital punishment on; put to death according to law.
4.
to murder; assassinate.
5.
to produce in accordance with a plan or design:
a painting executed by an unknown artist.
6.
to perform or play (a piece of music).
7.
Law.

8.
Computers. to run (a program or routine) or to carry out (an instruction in a program).
verb (used without object), executed, executing.
9.
to perform or accomplish something, as an assigned task.
10.
Sports. to perform properly the fundamental moves or mechanics of a sport, game, position, or particular play; show smoothness in necessary skills:
We just didn’t execute defensively.
/ˈɛksɪˌkjuːtəbəl/
adjective
1.
(of a computer program) able to be run
noun
2.
a file containing a program that will run as soon as it is opened
/ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt/
verb (transitive)
1.
to put (a condemned person) to death; inflict capital punishment upon
2.
to carry out; complete; perform; do: to execute an order
3.
to perform; accomplish; effect: to execute a pirouette
4.
to make or produce: to execute a drawing
5.
to carry into effect (a judicial sentence, the law, etc); enforce
6.
(law) to comply with legal formalities in order to render (a deed, etc) effective, as by signing, sealing, and delivering
7.
to sign (a will) in the presence of witnesses and in accordance with other legal formalities
8.
to carry out the terms of (a contract, will, etc)
v.

late 14c., “to carry into effect,” from Old French executer (14c.), from Medieval Latin executare, from Latin execut-/exsecut-, past participle stem of exequi/exsequi “to follow out” (see execution). Meaning “to inflict capital punishment” is from late 15c. Related: Executed; executing.
operating system
A binary file containing a program in machine language which is ready to be executed (run).
The term might also be, but generally isn’t, applied to scripts which are interpreted by a command line interpreter. Executables are distinguished in Unix by having the execute permission bits set, at least for the owner. MS-DOS uses the filename extension “.exe”.
(1997-06-21)