English Lexicon

Neonaticide

/ˌniː.oʊˈneɪ.tɪˌsaɪd/
nounCEFR C2 (Proficient)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The act of killing a newborn infant, particularly within the first 24 hours after birth.

    "The case raised awareness about the tragic circumstances that can lead to neonaticide."
  2. 2

    A crime involving the intentional killing of an infant shortly after birth.

    "Legal experts are debating the implications of neonaticide laws in various jurisdictions."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'neonaticide' is derived from the Greek roots 'neo-' meaning 'new' and 'natus' meaning 'born'. It emerged in the late 20th century to describe the act of killing a newborn, particularly within the first 28 days of life, reflecting societal issues surrounding infanticide and maternal mental health.

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