euthanasia — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The practice of intentionally killing a human being or animal in a humane way, especially in order to end suffering.

   Usage

   • Uncountable
   • usually

   Synonyms

   mercy killing

   Examples

   Euthanasia is the most difficult part of a veterinarian's job.

   In recent years, the sisters spoke openly about their desire for euthanasia in the event that one of them became gravely ill.

2. The practice of killing a human being who is considered a liability to society, especially a disabled person.

   Usage

   • Nazism
   • especially
   • euphemistic
   • Uncountable
   • usually

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Nevertheless, as Henry Friedlander pointed out years ago, it was not Jews but mentally and physically disabled people who became targets of the first large-scale, systematic killings in Nazi Germany, under the euphemistically labelled “Euthanasia Program.”

3. An easy death, or the means to bring about such a death.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Uncountable
   • usually

   Examples

   More examples (3)

   It would in time, it is to be hoped, effect a quiet euthanasia of the heresies of bigotry and fanaticism which have so long triumphed over human reason, and so generally and deeply afflicted mankind; but this work is to be begun by winnowing the grain from the chaff of the historians of his life.

   Had they understood their place, and what to do in it, this French Revolution, which went forth explosively in years and in months, might have spread itself over generations; and not a torture-death but a quiet euthanasia have been provided for many things.

   This purely painless process, this descent by oblivious trance into oblivion, this natural physical death, is the true euthanasia; and it is the duty of those we call physicians to secure for man such good health as shall bear him in activity and happiness onward in his course to this goal. For euthanasia, though it be open to every one born of every race, is not to be had by any save through obedience to those laws which it is the mission of the physician to learn, to teach, and to enforce. Euthanasia is the sequel of health, the happy death engrafted on the perfect life.

   For myself I could hold it in my account with God to find such an euthanasia for you, even at this moment if it were best.

Noun

1. the act of killing someone painlessly (especially someone suffering from an incurable illness)

   Synonyms

   mercy killing

   Broader terms

   killingkillputting to death