exec

See also: exec. and Exec.

English

Etymology 1

Clipping of executive.

Noun

exec (plural execs)

1. (informal) An executive; a person employed at the executive level.
   • 1950 October 28, “Diskers, AFRA Puzzle Singer Jurisdictions”, in Billboard, page 13:

     An upcoming problem to be thrashed out at a meeting of diskery reps and execs of the American Federation of Radio Artists (AFRA), is the degree of AFRA's jurisdictional claim over singers on records.

   • 1966, “Iron Man (theme song)”, Jacques Urbont (lyrics) (The Marvel Super Heroes (television series)):

     Tony Stark makes you feel
     He’s a cool exec with a heart of steel.
     As Iron Man, all jets ablaze,
     He’s fighting and smiting with repulsor rays!
     Amazing armor! That’s Iron Man!
     A blazing power! That’s Iron Man!

   • 2004, David Gerrold, Tales of the Star Wolf, SFBC, →ISBN:

     “All right,” he said, turning to the first sheet of paper inside. “We’re not playing Good Cop/Bad Cop here. Do you know that game?” “Yes, sir. Some captains delegate all the unpopular orders to their exec so he can take the heat.” “Right. Well, I don’t believe in that. If an unpopular order has to be given, the captain should take responsibility for it himself. […]”

2. (military, informal) An executive officer, i.e. the chief assistant to the commanding officer.
   • 1951, Herman Wouk, The Caine Mutiny, page 17:

     “'Okay. Report to the exec's office right after inspection tomorrow, Mister Keith. Best of luck.”

Derived terms

• exec-produce

Etymology 2

Clipping of execute.

Verb

exec (third-person singular simple present execs, present participle execing, simple past and past participle execed)

1. (computing, informal) To execute; to run.

Etymology 3

Clipping of executable.

Noun

exec (plural execs)

2. Alternative form of exe (“a Windows executable file”).
   • 1999 January 26, A.G. Kalman, “IC tax assistance”, in misc.taxes.moderated‎^[1] (Usenet):

     However, you should know the source of any document that you receive via e-mail that contains an executable file. […] Personally, I never open or download an exec or MS Office file unless I know the source.

   • 2000 July 13, xyz, “Getting an Object reference to a Third party Executable”, in microsoft.public.fox.programmer.exchange‎^[2] (Usenet):

     In order to run my customized quote screen I had to compile it as a separate standalone VFP 6.0 exec. It is run from Telemagic like an exec is run from an Icon.

   • 2004 August 27, bossche, “exec japanese executable”, in macromedia.flash.actionscript‎^[3] (Usenet):

     So I can actually create those folders on my computer by copy paste them from a japanes^[sic] text file, but can flash read the path to the exec? I use MDM software to launch the exec because macromedia^[sic] again has invented some stupid security law, by saying all the executables has to be located in a folder called "fscommand"........!

Etymology 4

Clipping of executioner.

Alternative forms

• exe

Noun

exec (plural execs)

2. (chiefly video games, informal) Clipping of executioner.
   • 1997 August 14, Morten Wang, “nightmare/hell sure paid off”, in alt.games.diablo‎^[4] (Usenet):

     I first picked one of the Exec's Blade's^[sic] up, and then a bit later the other (since they were dropped from two different monsters).

   • 1999 December 28, Pin, “On Character Appearances and Equ[i]pment”, in alt.games.everquest‎^[5] (Usenet):

     I am absolutely conscious of my appearance. I refuse to wear an ivy etched helm. Looks like glorified banded with a little green ring on it. I won't wear an exec hood because it looks like a patchwork helm; retarded.

   • 2002 February 18, Alex Kobe, “can't kill a lich”, in rec.games.computer.ultima.online‎^[6] (Usenet):

     But even without his silver axe, I have tried 1 lich with a GM exec axe, he can do fine.

   • 2003 May 11, SuperTech®, “From Upcoming for EverQuest”, in alt.games.everquest‎^[7] (Usenet):

     Being a Beastlord, one very high DPS class that can slow the Exec I am in high demand for my guild trials.

   • 2005 February 8, Atriel, “NPPangband (most angbands really) and lack of ID”, in rec.games.roguelike.angband‎^[8] (Usenet):

     ahn... we can enchant items/weapons to (+25,+25) in NPP, using shop services. So, instead of pseudoiding every wimpy weapon, im carrying dragon scales, hi books and stuff to sell to be able to enchant my exec sword.