What's the connection between excise: a type of tax and excise: to cut out?

(Sure, I could LIU, but why should I have all the fun?)

two different words, etymologically unique -- with nearly opposite senses (one cuts out, one adds on). sorta like 'cleave', in that regard, kinda.

file under contronym?

At its root, the excise tax comes from the Latin census, and excise meaning to cut out comes from the Latin "caedere", meaning to cut.

quote:

Originally posted by shufitz:
What's the connection between excise: a type of tax and excise: to cut out?

Both require the consent of the victim, but in the latter, surgical case it's voluntary and informed.