euthanasia

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

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR euthanasia ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

Origin of euthanasia

1640–50; < New Latin < Greek euthanasía an easy death, equivalent to eu- eu- + thánat(os) death + -ia -y³

Related formseu·tha·na·si·ast

[yoo-thuh-ney-zee-ast] /ˌyu θəˈneɪ ziˌæst/, nouneu·tha·na·sic

[yoo-thuh-ney-zik] /ˌyu θəˈneɪ zɪk/, adjectivepro·eu·tha·na·sia, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for euthanasia

Contemporary Examples of euthanasia

In its own press release, the clinic says: “The figures over 2013 show a strong growth of euthanasia in these groups.”
The Dutch Debate Doctor-Assisted Suicide For Depression
Nadette De Visser
February 3, 2014
Just a few weeks ago, Belgium broadened its existing law to include the possibility of euthanasia for children of all ages.
The Dutch Debate Doctor-Assisted Suicide For Depression
Nadette De Visser
February 3, 2014
Last year 749 people came to the Life-Ending Clinic with a euthanasia request, of which 133 were granted.
The Dutch Debate Doctor-Assisted Suicide For Depression
Nadette De Visser
February 3, 2014
Particularly disturbing, however, is that the reasoning behind this cult of euthanasia is thoroughly sound.
Preventing Suffering Through Promoting Death
Ryan Prior
April 5, 2012
They define "no-kill" as a euthanasia rate of not more than 10 per cent.
PETA Kills Bunnies (Updated with PETA Response)
Ryan Prior
March 22, 2012

Historical Examples of euthanasia

Not in euthanasia, but in torment of mind should the guilty atone.
Scaramouche
Rafael Sabatini
His going out was an euthanasia, for he was in love and heard nothing.
Beasts, Men and Gods
Ferdinand 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 Think
Ward Moore
Kennon shuddered, thinking of the euthanasia chambers on Otpen One.
The Lani People
J. F. Bone
In August, 1900, came the euthanasia for which he had longed.
Egoists
James Huneker

British Dictionary definitions for euthanasia

euthanasia

noun

the act of killing someone painlessly, esp to relieve suffering from an incurable illnessAlso called: mercy killing

Word Origin for euthanasia

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

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.

euthanasia in Medicine

euthanasia

[yōō′thə-nā′zhə]

n.

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.

euthanasia in Science

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.

euthanasia in Culture

euthanasia

[(yooh-thuh-nay-zhuh)]

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

Note

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