exec

See also: exec. and Exec.

English

Etymology

Clipping of executive or execute.

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.”

Verb

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

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