Euthanatos

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of ending the life of a terminally ill or suffering individual to alleviate pain and anguish
2. A procedure aimed at providing a merciful death to those enduring insufferable conditions
3. The practice of intentionally causing death in a compassionate manner for patients facing unbearable suffering

Etymology: Built from the Greek "eu," meaning "well" or "good," and "thanatos," meaning "death," the Greek adjective "euthanatos" described a death that came easily and without suffering. The second element draws on Thanatos, the Greek personification of death. Francis Bacon brought the idea into English as "euthanasia," using it for a gentle, easy passing rather than any act performed on a person. The sense of a deliberate procedure to bring death about developed later, so the modern meaning is a narrowing and shift from the good death itself to the means of achieving it.

Synonyms: euthanasia, mercy killing, assisted death

Antonyms: prolonged life, resuscitation, life support