Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
medicide
noun
/ˈmɛdɪˌsaɪd/
Definition
Medicide refers to the act of causing death through medical means, often associated with euthanasia or assisted dying.
Examples
1. In some countries, medicide is a legal option for those suffering from terminal illnesses.
2. The debate around medicide often centers on ethical considerations.
3. Advocates for medicide argue that it should be a right for individuals facing unbearable pain.
Meaning
The term combines ‘med’ from medical and ‘cide’ from the Latin ‘caedere,’ meaning ‘to kill.’ It typically describes practices or actions that result in death in a medical context, particularly when it is intended to relieve suffering.
Synonyms
- euthanasia
- assisted dying
- mercy killing