infanticide

noun in·fan·ti·cide \ in-ˈfan-tə-ˌsīd \

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Definition of infanticide

1 : the killing of an infant

[Late Latin infanticida, from Latin infant-, infans + -i- + -cida -cide]

: one who kills an infant

—

infanticidal

play \in-ˌfan-tə-ˈsī-dᵊl\ adjective

See infanticide defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of infanticide from the Web

Synchronous birth protects young females by reducing the infanticide that would otherwise be used by the old guard to keep the younger animals from successfully producing offspring.

— liz langley, National Geographic, "Why Mongooses All Give Birth on the Same Day," 2 June 2018
More generally, the Methodist website advocates generosity and charity toward immigrants, making numerous references to scripture and noting that Christ started life as a refugee, with his family fleeing to Egypt to escape Herod’s infanticide.

— dan rodricks, baltimoresun.com, "Sessions at odds with his church on immigrants," 14 June 2018
When untreated, depression can also lead to tragic outcomes, including suicide or infanticide.

— nancy byatt, Philly.com, "Depression affects one in 7 pregnant women. Why isn't there more help for them?," 8 June 2018
Among land mammals, infanticide occurs among primates and rodents, the report noted.

— author: amy b wang, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Fascinated and horrified’ scientists watched as a killer whale drowned another’s newborn calf," 3 Apr. 2018
This is a pitch-black book, with infanticide, suicide, rape and any number of other dark subjects playing a prominent part.

— will nevin, OregonLive.com, "TBT #36.2: Secrets of Atlantis, mysteries of space and parade of horrors coming up in AfterShock Comics," 2 May 2018
Terrestrial species like primates and rodents have been known to commit infanticide, and the behavior has been infrequently observed among dolphins.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "A Male Orca and Its Mother Worked Together to Kill a Newborn Calf," 27 Mar. 2018
The discovery indicates killer whales also engage in infanticide, a behavior found in primates, rodents and in some cases dolphins, the report stated.

— Fox News, "Scientists observe male orca kill calf in first-of-its-kind discovery," 5 Apr. 2018
The rise in infanticide also occurs before the pine cones have even sprouted.

— jessica haines, National Geographic, "These Adorable Squirrels Are Also Baby-Killing Cannibals," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infanticide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of infanticide

Late Latin infanticidium, from Latin infant-, infans + -i- + -cidium -cide

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1611

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

INFANTICIDE Defined for English Language Learners

infanticide

noun

Definition of infanticide for English Language Learners

: the act of killing a baby

Medical Dictionary

infanticide

noun in·fan·ti·cide \ in-ˈfant-ə-ˌsīd \

medical Definition of infanticide

1 : the killing of an infant

2 : one who kills an infant

—

infanticidal

play \-ˌfant-ə-ˈsīd-ᵊl\ adjective

Law Dictionary

infanticide

noun in·fan·ti·cide \ in-ˈfan-tə-ˌsīd \

legal Definition of infanticide

: the killing of a newly or recently born child

Learn More about infanticide

See words that rhyme with infanticide Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about infanticide

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infanticide

Definition of infanticide

infanticidal

Recent Examples of infanticide from the Web

Origin and Etymology of infanticide

Other Legal Terms

INFANTICIDE Defined for English Language Learners

infanticide

Definition of infanticide for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

infanticide

medical Definition of infanticide

infanticidal

Law Dictionary

infanticide

legal Definition of infanticide

Learn More about infanticide

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