infanticide

noun

in·​fan·​ti·​cide in-ˈfan-tə-ˌsīd 

1

: the killing of an infant

2

[Late Latin infanticida, from Latin infant-, infans + -i- + -cida -cide] : one who kills an infant

infanticidal

in-ˌfan-tə-ˈsī-dᵊl 

adjective

Examples of infanticide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And the bad thoughts may serve a biological purpose: because mothers who have thoughts of infanticide are more likely to compulsively check on their infants, their hypervigilance may be what has ensured the continuance of their line. —Andrew Kay, Harpers Magazine, 28 May 2025

That's ancient history today, when not even ending infanticide can get sufficient numbers in both chambers to send a bill for signature to President Donald Trump. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

Female infanticide has been distressingly common in many societies — and its practice is not just ancient history. —Bryan Walsh, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

Many of them were ostracized by their families, leading to thousands of abortions and numerous cases of infanticide and suicide. —Katharine Q. Seelye, New York Times, 26 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for infanticide

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

Medical Definition

infanticide

noun

in·​fan·​ti·​cide in-ˈfant-ə-ˌsīd 

1

: the killing of an infant

2

: one who kills an infant

infanticidal

-ˌfant-ə-ˈsīd-ᵊl 

adjective

Legal Definition

infanticide

noun

in·​fan·​ti·​cide in-ˈfan-tə-ˌsīd 

: the killing of a newly or recently born child