(Greek for " good death.") An ambiguous term with meanings ranging from " physician assisted suicide" for terminally elderly persons in intractible pain, to the German Nazi programs of murdering old and handicapped persons. We recommend that the term never be used, and that a specific term be used in its place.

the cessation of life. Humanely killing an animal.

Humane killing; putting to sleep

The putting to death, by painless method, of a terminally-ill or severely debilitated person through the omission (intentionally withholding a life-saving medical procedure, also known as "passive euthanasia") or commission of an act ("active euthanasia'). See also living will.

A deliberate intervention undertaken with the express intention of ending a life, albeit at the person's own request or for a merciful motive.

the practice of ending a life in case of incurable disease

mercy killing to prevent a prolonged and painful death.

The deliberate ending of life in order to relieve incurable pain and suffering

The ending of life, by medical means, when there is no hope of recovery.

Nazi euphemism for the deliberate killing of the institutionalized physically and mentally disabled by gassing and drug overdoses, based on Hitler's backdated authorization of September 1, 1939. Despite elaborate efforts at concealment, the killings became public knowledge. From October 1939 to the summer of 1941, more than 70,000 disabled Germans and Austrians were murdered. After August 1941, the second less-centralized killing phase, known as "wild euthanasia," continued the "euthanasia" program until the war's end. In all, about 200,000-250,000 disabled were murdered, including thousands of Polish and Soviet handicapped killed in the East. (See also "Operation T 4," "Operation 14f13")

act or practice of causing death painlessly in order to end suffering: advocated by some as a way to deal with persons dying of incurable, painful diseases.

The use of deliberate medical means, usually lethal injection, to cause death. Used to avoid suffering in sick and aging pets, and to limit populations of cats in shelters.

order by term] level: Basic (2) The act of ending a life of one who has no hope of recovery from a terminal and extremely painful illness.

level: Basic (2) [ order by level] The act of ending a life of one who has no hope of recovery from a terminal and extremely painful illness.

the humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method that produces rapid unconsciousness and subsequent death without evidence of pain or distress, or a method that utilizes anesthesia produced by an agent that causes painless loss of consciousness and subsequent death.

the act of killing someone painlessly (especially someone suffering from an incurable illness)

Greek for "good death," this is another idea with merit abused by the Germans. They wanted to kill the old and handicapped to put them out of their misery, laying the foundation for the final solution and promotion of a superior race.

The issues surrounding how to deal with medical intervention near the end of life are still very much contested, even in the very terms that are used to discuss them. To refer to medical procedures that hasten or allow death as "euthanasia" (literally "good" or "beautiful death") is already to express a preference for one side. Despite the intensity of controversy, considerable conceptual progress has been made in distinguishing various approaches. See also: DNR orders, extraordinary/heroic treatment, futile treatment, living will, palliative care, physician-assisted suicide, withdrawing treatment, withholding treatment. [See Case Studies related to Euthanasia

The term traditionally has been used to refer to the hastening of a suffering person's death or "mercy killing". Voluntary active euthanasia involves an intervention requested by a competent individual that is administered to that person to cause death, for example, if a physician gives a lethal injection with the patient’s full informed consent. Involuntary or non-voluntary active euthanasia involves a physician engaging in an act to end a patient’s life without that patient’s full informed consent. See also Physician-hastened Death (sometimes referred to as Physician-assisted Suicide).

To kill an animal painlessly, and without distress.

A quiet, painless death; The intentional putting to death of a person with an incurable or painful disease intended as an act of mercy.

translated literally as "good death," euthanasia refers to the act of painlessly but deliberately causing the death of another who is suffering from an incurable, painful disease or condition. It is commonly thought of as lethal injection and it is often referred to as mercy killing. All forms of euthanasia are illegal throughout the U.S.

death without fear, pain or suffering.

Literally meaning a good death. Used to descibe the doctor assisted death for a patient with a pianful terminal condition, the switching off of life support machines for those in comas, the killing of the elderly or disabled. Ethical debates range over the right to take life ever, the right to choose the manner and time of death with dignity and the safe application of legalised Euthanasia. The Voluntary Euthanaisia Society advocates legal reform in Britain while the Roman Cathiolic Church opposes all forms of Euthanasia.

deliberate imposition of death to prevent further suffering

Ending the life of a pet.

The act of either permitting a person to die or intentionally ending a person's life, generally rooted in motives of mercy, beneficence, or respect for patient dignity.

The policy of so‑called "mercy-killing" which the Nazi government passed into law in 1933. Their plans were to kill the "feeble‑minded," old, physically handicapped or “useless" people in Germany. The "Euthanasia Program" became the foundation for the planning of the "Final Solution." The plans for killing the Jews included practices similar to those used in the "Euthanasia Program. " The "Final Solution" also used many of the same staff.

A process of killing animals because they are very ill, injured or contribute to pet overpopulation - the latter is a good reason to have your female cat spayed as early as possible.

(YOO-thuh-NAY-zhuh) An easy or painless death, or the intentional ending of the life of a person suffering from an incurable or painful disease at his or her request. Also called mercy killing.

"mercy killing"; the deliberate ending of life to reduce pain and suffering.

(eu·tha·na·sia) NOUN: The act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment.

Usually due to ageing or serious illness, your cat's quality of life may deteriorate markedly. That is the time to humanely put your beloved pet to sleep. The vet will administer a measured overdose of anaesthetic, and your cat will quickly slip into a deep and permanent sleep with no pain or distress.

Mercy killing to end the suffering of an animal, caused by injection.

The practice of killing a person or animal, in a painless or minimally painful way, for merciful reasons, usually to end suffering.

Nazi euphemism for the deliberate killings of institutionalized physically, mentally, and emotionally handicapped people. The euthanasia program began in 1939, with German non-Jews as the first victims. The program was later extended to Jews.

A single word oxymoron and euphemism meaning "good death". The practice of putting the sick out of our misery by active means or neglect.

The act of imposing death on another; also known as assisted suicide, mercy killing; includes the withholding of artificially-provided nutrition and/or hydration from those deemed unfit to continue living.

has many definitions. The Pro-Life Alliance defines it as: "Any action or omission intended to end the life of a patient on the grounds that his or her life is not worth living." The Voluntary Euthanasia Society looks to the word's Greek origins - "'eu' and 'thanatos', which together mean 'a good death'" - and say a modern definition is: "A good death brought about by a doctor providing drugs or an injection to bring a peaceful end to the dying process." Three classes of euthanasia can be identified - passive euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide and active euthanasia - although not all groups would acknowledge them as valid terms.

An act intended to cause the merciful death of a person who is suffering from what is believed to be an incurable condition.

Any act of commission (active) or omission (passive) that intends the death of a person in order to eliminate patient suffering.

the administration of a lethal agent by another person to a patient for the purpose of relieving the patient's intolerable and incurable suffering (AMA Code of Medical Ethics, Opinion 2.21). Defined thus, euthanasia can occur with or without the patient's knowledge and consent. Where euthanasia is legally permitted, notably in the Netherlands, regulations specify that it only be undertaken with the patient's written informed consent and under strict guidelines. Euthanasia differs from physician-assisted suicide in which a physician provides information about or prescription for a lethal agent but does not administer the agent. (See "physician-assisted suicide.") Euthanasia also differs from the withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment. In euthanasia, an agent is administered that causes the patient's death. When life-sustaining treatment is withheld or withdrawn, the patient's underlying disease is the cause of death. (See "withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.")

helping someone who is on the verge of death or in a coma to die without suffering; also called mercy-killing

Euthanasia is helping to end the life of someone who wants to die, often because they have an incurable disease. This is illegal in the UK and most countries.

Euthanasia (from Greek: ευθανασία -ευ, eu, "good", θάνατος, thanatos, death) is the practice of terminating the life of a person or animal in a painless or minimally painful way in order to prevent suffering or other undesired conditions in life. This may be voluntary or involuntary, and carried out with or without a physician. In a medical environment, this can be carried out by oral, intravenous or intramuscular drug administration.