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Infanticide: meaning, definitions and examples

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infanticide

 

[ ɪnˈfæntɪˌsaɪd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

criminal act

Infanticide refers to the act of killing an infant, usually defined as a child less than one year old. This act can be carried out by a parent or caregiver and is often linked to severe mental health issues or extreme circumstances. In many jurisdictions, infanticide is treated differently from murder, considering the emotional and psychological states of the individuals involved. The legal definitions and consequences can vary significantly from one country or state to another, influenced by cultural attitudes toward parenting and mental health.

Synonyms

baby killing, child killing, infant murder

Examples of usage

  • Infanticide is a tragic outcome of untreated mental illness.
  • Cases of infanticide often highlight the need for better mental health support.
  • The law distinguishes infanticide from murder in several jurisdictions.
  • Society must address the underlying causes of infanticide.

Translations

Translations of the word "infanticide" in other languages:

🇵🇹 infanticídio

🇮🇳 शिशुहत्या

🇩🇪 Kindsmord

🇮🇩 infanticide

🇺🇦 дитяча вбивство

🇵🇱 infantycyd

🇯🇵 幼児殺害

🇫🇷 infanticide

🇪🇸 infanticidio

🇹🇷 infanticide

🇰🇷 유아 살해

🇸🇦 قتل الرضع

🇨🇿 infanticida

🇸🇰 infanticída

🇨🇳 婴儿杀害

🇸🇮 infanticid

🇮🇸 barnamorð

🇰🇿 сәбиді өлтіру

🇬🇪 შვილმკვდარი

🇦🇿 uşaq qətli

🇲🇽 infanticidio

Word origin

The term 'infanticide' is derived from the Latin word 'infans', which means 'infant' or 'young child', combined with 'caedere', meaning 'to kill'. The use of the term can be traced back to the late 14th century in English, reflecting societal concerns about the well-being of infants and the responsibilities of parents. Historically, infanticide has been viewed in various ways, from a criminal act to a practice that was sometimes tolerated under certain conditions, such as extreme poverty or illegitimacy. Over time, with shifts in legal systems and social attitudes, the perception and treatment of infanticide have evolved. Today, the focus is increasingly on the mental health aspects surrounding such cases, acknowledging the complex emotional and psychological factors that may lead to this tragic act.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,217, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.