First Known Use: 1869
Dictionary
euthanasia
noun eu·tha·na·sia \ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə\
: the act or practice of killing someone who is very sick or injured in order to prevent any more suffering
Full Definition of EUTHANASIA
: the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy
— eu·tha·na·sic \-zik, -sik\ adjective
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Origin of EUTHANASIA
Greek, easy death, from euthanatos, from eu- + thanatos death — more at thanatos
Rhymes with EUTHANASIA
Medical Dictionary
euthanasia
noun eu·tha·na·sia \ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə\
Medical Definition of EUTHANASIA
: the act or practice of killing hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy; also : the act or practice of allowing a hopelessly sick or injured patient to die by taking less than complete medical measures to prolong life—called also mercy killing
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