euthanasia

noun

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

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

2. (Nazism, especially, euphemistic, uncountable, usually)The practice of killing a human being who is considered a liability to society, especially a disabled person.

   “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.””

3. (obsolete, uncountable, usually)An easy death, or the means to bring about such a death.

   “It would in time, it is to be hoped, effect a quiet euthanasia of the heresies of bigotry and fanaticism which have so long triumphed over human reason, and so generally and deeply afflicted mankind; but this work is to be begun by winnowing the grain from the chaff of the historians of his life.”

   “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.”

   “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.”