infanticide

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

Updated on: 14 Apr 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

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
Dowry, female infanticide and women's education are persistent issues despite decades of successive governments' efforts to address them.

— vidhi doshi, Washington Post, "Why India’s modern women say it’s a ‘burden’ to be female," 12 Mar. 2018
Adult females as well as males sometimes commit infanticide.

— david barash, WSJ, "‘The New Chimpanzee’ Review: Mysteries of the Chimpanzees," 9 Mar. 2018
In recent years, Indiana has seen two high-profile cases in which prosecutors brought infanticide charges against pregnant women.

— shari rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "Feminist advocate: Bill on Feticide could have 'terrible implications'," 23 Jan. 2018
Presented to the War Crimes Committee in Washington D.C. in 2016, the defectors’ testimonies included accounts of prisoners being tortured or killed because of their religious affiliation, forced abortions, and infanticide.

— joseph hincks, Time, "'Worse Than Nazi Camps.' New Report Details Gruesome Crimes Against Humanity at North Korean Prisons," 12 Dec. 2017
Scientists know of only two other Steller bulls that committed infanticide, and neither involved cannibalism.

— traci watson, National Geographic, "Cannibal Sea Lion Kills and Eats Pup—Never Before Seen," 16 Aug. 2017
For decades Cheney has documented infanticide in baboons in Botswana, where the behavior accounts for at least 50 percent of all infant deaths.

— divya abhat, Smithsonian, "Baboons Are Ruthless Reproducers," 28 Feb. 2017

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

See Words from the same year

Other Legal Terms

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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