Euthanasia
/ˌjuː.θəˈneɪ.ʒə/noun
The intentional ending of a person's life to relieve severe suffering.
Did you know?In ancient Greek, the root *eu-* meant “good” or “well,” and *thanatos* was Death itself — so the word’s original power was about a blessed, gentle death, not a legal procedure.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dheu-
“to run, flow”
Ancient Greek
Greek
εὖ (eu) + θάνατος (thanatos)
““well/good” + “death””
Late Greek
Greek
εὐθανασία (euthanasia)
“a good or easy death”
17th Century
English
euthanasia
“an easy or gentle death”
Modern English
English
euthanasia
“the intentional ending of life to relieve suffering”
Explore more surprising origins