Euthanasia

Quick meaning: Euthanasia is a noun meaning The practice of intentionally killing a human being or animal in a humane way, especially in order to end suffering.

Meaning

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

More Meanings

1. (euphemistic, especially Nazism) The practice of killing a human being who is considered a liability to society, especially a disabled person.
2. (obsolete) An easy death, or the means to bring about such a death.

Example Sentences

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

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.

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.”

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.

Word Forms

• euthanasias
• euthanasy

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include legalization, shelter, merciful, legalisation, nonvoluntary, self-death.

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