Obs. exc. Hist. [L. carnifex, carnific-em, f. carn-em flesh + -fex, -ficem, maker, f. fac- (in comb. -fic-) make, making; in ancient L. ‘executioner,’ but in med.L. often ‘butcher’ (the trade), e.g.
1521. Crt. Rolls of Northall, Middx. [Presentment] quod Johannes Swycote est carnifex et vendit carnem corruptam.
1662. Fuller, Worthies, I. (1840), 497.]
An executioner.
1561. Godly Q. Hester (1873), 40. Auoide the murder of this carnifex Aman.
1617. Middleton & Rowley, Fair Quarrel, IV. iv. Let the Carnifexes scoure their throates.
1822. Scott, Nigel, v. The carnifex, or executioner there.
1882. J. Martineau, Spinoza, 21. The chief carnifex undertaking the high-born folks.
