Definition of "lethal" []

• Capable of causing death. (adjective)
• Of, relating to, or causing death. See Synonyms at fatal. (adjective)
• Extremely harmful; devastating: accusations lethal to the candidate's image. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "In 1934, Stauder coined the term lethal catatonia to characterize an acute, intense excitement state, combining features of mania and delirium, that was associated with fever often high and catatonic signs."
• "When the legislation was considered by parliament, ministers made clear there could be circumstances in which it could be used to authorise what they described as "lethal force"."
• "And then just before midnight they'll make calls, one more time, to the governor's office and then also to the courts to make sure that nothing has changed and at that point the warden will give the order to give him what they call a lethal cocktail and then the execution will be taking place."