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. the act of killing someone painlessly, esp to relieve suffering from an incurable illness Also calledmercy killing

euthanasia

/ yo̅o̅′thə-nā′zhə /

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.

Notes

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

Other Words From

• eu·tha·na·si·ast [yoo-th, uh, -, ney, -zee-ast], noun
• eu·tha·na·sic [yoo-th, uh, -, ney, -zik], adjective
• proeu·tha·nasia 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

Instead of increasing the penalty, it moved to decriminalize euthanasia — becoming the only country to do so on the basis of constitutional arguments, Díaz said.

From Washington Post

In Peru this year, Lima’s superior court ruled that a woman with polymyositis should be permitted to die by euthanasia when she decides she is ready.

From Washington Post

On Sunday, Sepúlveda, who considers herself a devout Catholic, plans to become the first person in Colombia without a terminal prognosis to die by legally authorized euthanasia.

From Washington Post

She told the outlet that she didn’t consent to the euthanasia.

From Quartz

It can be expensive One drawback is that at-home euthanasia costs more.

From Washington Post

In its own press release, the clinic says: “The figures over 2013 show a strong growth of euthanasia in these groups.”

From The Daily Beast

Just a few weeks ago, Belgium broadened its existing law to include the possibility of euthanasia for children of all ages.

From The Daily Beast

Last year 749 people came to the Life-Ending Clinic with a euthanasia request, of which 133 were granted.

From The Daily Beast

Particularly disturbing, however, is that the reasoning behind this cult of euthanasia is thoroughly sound.

From The Daily Beast

They define "no-kill" as a euthanasia rate of not more than 10 per cent.

From The Daily Beast

The sequel was in the same taste and style, and ended with the euthanasia of all similar representations, a hearty dinner.

From Project Gutenberg

Obviously the cure is the elimination of that sixth woman, preferably by euthanasia.

From Project Gutenberg

It was here that one enthusiast achieved a fisherman's euthanasia, for he dropped dead suddenly in the very act of playing a fish.

From Project Gutenberg

The Euthanasia Company had rarely been called by a client in a greater hurry.

From Project Gutenberg

To the mind of the orthodox Hindu there is no such thing as euthanasia, and it is impious to attempt to bring it about.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assisted dying