[as if ad. L. *exoculātiōn-em, n. of action f. exoculāre to put out the eyes, f. ex- out + oculus eye.] The action of putting out the eyes, e.g., in execution of a judicial sentence; blinding.
1630. R. Johnson’s Kingd. & Commw., 13. From these Nations … have tortures of more exquisite device taken their originals: as exoculations, tearing of members, slayings, gashings with swords, slow fires, and impalements on stakes.
1814. Southey, Roderick, II. Notes p. xxxix. note. The history of Europe during the dark ages abounds with examples of exoculation, as it was called by those writers who endeavoured, towards the middle of the 17th century, to introduce the style-ornate into our prose after it had been banished from poetry.
1875. Sydney Morn. Herald, 23 June, 4/1. The President had predicted that the law … would cause the eyes of the country to be picked out: and it was retorted by an able member … that he did not think such an exoculation was to be dreaded.
