capital punishment

The sentence of death for a serious crime. — Also termed death penalty. See DEATH PENALTY.

capital punishment. The sentence of death for a serious crime. — Also termed death penalty. See DEATH PENALTY. “At Common Law capital punishment was imposed for a few very serious offences such as treason, murder, rape, and burning a dwelling-house. Even as late as 1688, despite the exceptionally rigorous laws which had been enacted during