I don’t think intent is required. Behead’s definition says “cut off the head of (someone), especially as a form of execution.” The especially part means it isn’t exclusive to that.
I think this is just one of those “language is complicated” things. I’m seeing multiple definitions out there. I don’t know really how much it matters, it starts to approach a semantic argument and getting away from the actual concrete events that have occurred.
I don’t think intent is required. Behead’s definition says “cut off the head of (someone), especially as a form of execution.” The especially part means it isn’t exclusive to that.
Both Be-head and De-capit(ate) = Off-head
I think this is just one of those “language is complicated” things. I’m seeing multiple definitions out there. I don’t know really how much it matters, it starts to approach a semantic argument and getting away from the actual concrete events that have occurred.