euthanasia

eu·tha·na·sia

noun \ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə\

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

Examples of EUTHANASIA

1. a physician who refuses to practice euthanasia

Origin of EUTHANASIA

Greek, easy death, from euthanatos, from eu- + thanatos death — more at thanatos

First Known Use: 1869

Rhymes with EUTHANASIA

Australasia

eu·tha·na·sia

noun \ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə\   (Medical Dictionary)

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

euthanasia

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Painless killing of a person who has a painful incurable disease or incapacitating disorder. Most legal systems consider it murder, though in many jurisdictions a physician may lawfully decide not to prolong the patient's life or may give drugs to relieve pain even if they shorten the patient's life. Associations promoting legal euthanasia exist in many countries. The legalization movement has gained ground with advancing medical technology, which has been used to prolong the lives of patients who are enduring extreme suffering or who are comatose or unable to communicate their wishes. Euthanasia was legalized in the Netherlands in 2001 and in Belgium in 2002. In 1997 Oregon became the first state in the U.S. to decriminalize physician-assisted suicide.

Variants of EUTHANASIA

euthanasia or mercy killing