v. Obs. Also pa. pple. 6 excarnificat. [f. L. excarnificāt- ppl. stem of excarnificā-re to tear to pieces, f. ex- intensive + carnificāre to cut in pieces, f. carnifex executioner: see CARNIFEX.] trans. a. To torment, torture, rack. b. To do the office of an executioner upon.
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 89/2. Benjamin the deacon … was most miserable excarnificat, having twentie sharpe pricks of reeds thrust under his nails.
1611. Coryat, Crudities, 37. I did euen excarnificate his [my horse’s] sides with my often spurring of him. Ibid., 351. At last they would put me to death, and excarnificate me after a very bitter and terrible manner.
1623–6. Cockeram, Excarnificate, to hang one.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., xiii. 167. What to the racking and excarnificating their bodies, before this last punishment?
1721–1800. Bailey, Excarnificate, to Butcher, to quarter, or cut one to pieces.
Hence Excarnification [see -ATION], the action of excarnificating or taking away the flesh.
1730–6. in Bailey (folio).
1755. in Johnson; whence in mod. Dicts.
