infanticide

American  

[in-fan-tuh-sahyd] / ɪnˈfæn təˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the act of killing an infant.

2. the practice of killing newborn infants.

3. a person who kills an infant.

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infanticide British  

/ ɪnˈfæntɪˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the killing of an infant

2. the practice of killing newborn infants, still prevalent in some primitive tribes

3. a person who kills an infant

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Other Word Forms

• infanticidal adjective

Etymology

Origin of infanticide

1650–60; infanticide ( def. 1 ) < Late Latin infanticīdium; infanticide ( def. 2 ) < Late Latin infanticīda. See infant, -i-, -cide

Example Sentences

The work is the first to show that adoption, like infanticide, can lead to long-term reproductive success.

From Science Magazine

From the moment a male lion is born it faces a gauntlet of challenges – from snakebite and hungry hyenas to infanticide at the hands of other male lions.

From Scientific American

Jurors rejected Dickason’s legal defenses under New Zealand’s insanity and infanticide laws.

From Seattle Times

Later in her trial, jurors were given the option to consider an alternative verdict of infanticide rather than murder if they believed she killed Stanley whilst the balance of her mind was disturbed.

From BBC

Biologists who study hellbender behavior had previously noted this form of infanticide on occasion.

From New York Times