infanticide

noun

in·​fan·​ti·​cide in-ˈfan-tə-ˌsīd How to pronounce infanticide (audio)
1
: the killing of an infant
2
[Late Latin infanticida, from Latin infant-, infans + -i- + -cida -cide] : one who kills an infant
infanticidal adjective

Examples of infanticide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Props to the people who green-lit Angry Birds to give kids a silly movie about infanticide. Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024 December 1998 The Post Register in eastern Idaho produced a series on child deaths that found a dearth of autopsies, including two cases of infanticide that were almost attributed to SIDS. Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 2 Dec. 2024 Certainly not Maria, a promising novelist and new mother, who is increasingly haunted by the threat of a monster: Herself, and her fears of committing infanticide. Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024 Amid this bloodshed, however, researchers noticed a more peaceful resolution to familial upheaval: Adoptions of unrelated chicks by stepparents were just as common as infanticide. Byvirginia Morell, science.org, 6 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for infanticide 

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin infanticidium, from Latin infant-, infans + -i- + -cidium -cide

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of infanticide was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near infanticide

Cite this Entry

“Infanticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infanticide. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

infanticide

noun
in·​fan·​ti·​cide in-ˈfant-ə-ˌsīd How to pronounce infanticide (audio)
1
: the killing of an infant
2
: one who kills an infant
infanticidal adjective

Legal Definition

infanticide

noun
in·​fan·​ti·​cide in-ˈfan-tə-ˌsīd How to pronounce infanticide (audio)
: the killing of a newly or recently born child

More from Merriam-Webster on infanticide

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