euthanasia
[yoo-thuh-ney-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh]
- 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.
- painless death.
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Origin of euthanasia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for euthanasia
Contemporary Examples
In its own press release, the clinic says: “The figures over 2013 show a strong growth of euthanasia in these groups.”
Just a few weeks ago, Belgium broadened its existing law to include the possibility of euthanasia for children of all ages.
Last year 749 people came to the Life-Ending Clinic with a euthanasia request, of which 133 were granted.
Particularly disturbing, however, is that the reasoning behind this cult of euthanasia is thoroughly sound.
They define "no-kill" as a euthanasia rate of not more than 10 per cent.
Historical Examples
Not in euthanasia, but in torment of mind should the guilty atone.
ScaramoucheRafael Sabatini
His going out was an euthanasia, for he was in love and heard nothing.
Beasts, Men and GodsFerdinand Ossendowski
When I am too old to work and ready for euthanasia I shall have you come and talk me to death.
Greener Than You ThinkWard Moore
Kennon shuddered, thinking of the euthanasia chambers on Otpen One.
The Lani PeopleJ. F. Bone
In August, 1900, came the euthanasia for which he had longed.
EgoistsJames Huneker
euthanasia
- the act of killing someone painlessly, esp to relieve suffering from an incurable illnessAlso called: mercy killing
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Word Origin
C17: via New Latin from Greek: easy death, from eu- + thanatos death
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for euthanasia
n.
c.1600, from Greek euthanasia "an easy or happy death," from eu- "good" (see eu-) + thanatos "death" (see thanatology). Sense of "legally sanctioned mercy killing" is first recorded in English 1869.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
euthanasia
(yōō′thə-nā′zhə)- The act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment.
- A quiet, painless death.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
euthanasia
[yōō′thə-nā′zhə]
- 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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
euthanasia
[(yooh-thuh-nay-zhuh)]
Painlessly putting someone to death — usually someone with an incurable and painful disease; mercy killing.
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Note
Proposals to make euthanasia legal in the United States have inspired heated debate.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.