English Lexicon

Filicide

/ˈfɪl.ɪ.saɪd/
nounCEFR C2 (Proficient)Top #45000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The act of a parent killing their own child.

    "The case was particularly shocking due to the filicide committed by a seemingly loving mother."
  2. 2

    A crime involving the murder of one's own offspring.

    "Filicide cases often raise complex questions about mental health and parental responsibility."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin words 'filius' (son) or 'filia' (daughter) combined with the suffix '-cidium' (cutting, killing), originating from 'caedere' (to cut, to kill). Entering medical and legal terminology in the 19th century, the term classifies the specific crime of a parent killing their own child.

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