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View synonyms for euthanasia

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-nāzhə /

  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.


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Notes

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

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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

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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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of euthanasia1

C17: via New Latin from Greek: easy death, from eu- + thanatos death

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Example Sentences

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Euterpeeuthanize