euthanasia
[ yoo-thuh-ney-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh ]
/ ˌyu θəˈneɪ ʒə, -ʒi ə, -zi ə /
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
OTHER WORDS FROM euthanasia
eu·tha·na·si·ast [yoo-thuh-ney-zee-ast] /ˌyu θəˈneɪ ziˌæst/, noun eu·tha·na·sic [yoo-thuh-ney-zik] /ˌyu θəˈneɪ zɪk/, adjective pro·eu·tha·na·sia, adjectiveWords nearby euthanasia
eutectic,
eutectic alloy,
eutectoid,
eutelegenesis,
euterpe,
euthanasia,
euthanize,
euthenics,
eutherian,
euthermic,
euthymia
Example sentences from the Web for euthanasia
British Dictionary definitions for euthanasia
euthanasia
/ (ˌjuːθəˈneɪzɪə) /
noun
the act of killing someone painlessly, esp to relieve suffering from an incurable illness
Also called: mercy killing
Word Origin for euthanasia
C17: via New Latin from Greek: easy death, from
eu- +
thanatos death
Medical definitions for euthanasia
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.
Scientific definitions for euthanasia
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.
Cultural definitions for euthanasia
euthanasia
[ (yooh-thuh-nay-zhuh) ]
Painlessly putting someone to death — usually someone with an incurable and painful disease; mercy killing.
notes for euthanasia
Proposals to make euthanasia legal in the United States have inspired heated debate.