euthanasia

[yoo-thuh-ney-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh]

noun

1. Also called mercy killing. the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition.

2. painless death.

euthanasia

/ ˌjuːθəˈneɪzɪə /

noun

1. Also called: mercy killing. the act of killing someone painlessly, esp to relieve suffering from an incurable illness

euthanasia

1. The act or practice of painlessly ending the life of an animal or a willing individual who has a terminal illness or incurable condition, as by giving a lethal drug.

euthanasia

1. Painlessly putting someone to death — usually someone with an incurable and painful disease; mercy killing.

Proposals to make euthanasia legal in the United States have inspired heated debate.

Other Word Forms

• euthanasiast noun
• euthanasic adjective
• proeuthanasia adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of euthanasia¹

1640–50; < New Latin < Greek euthanasía an easy death, equivalent to eu- eu- + thánat ( os ) death + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of euthanasia¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek: easy death, from _eu- + thanatos death

Example Sentences

Canada first legalised euthanasia in 2016 for people with terminal illnesses.

Read more on BBC

On a similar note, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson said certain aspects of the assisted dying Bill "blur the line" for doctors around euthanasia.

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“But in cases where an animal’s quality of life would be severely compromised, humane euthanasia is sometimes the most compassionate option.”

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“These are not easy decisions; who wants to play God?” said veterinarian Lorraine Watson of DR 4 PETS, a home euthanasia service for dogs and cats.

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Yet with many animal refuges operating at capacity, it can be difficult to find temporary homes where pets are not at risk of euthanasia.

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Related Words

• assisted dying