euthanize [yoo-thuh-nahyz] Word Origin verb (used with object), eu·tha·nized, eu·tha·niz·ing.
- to subject to euthanasia: to euthanize injured animals.
Also eu·than·a·tize [yoo-than-uh-tahyz] /yuˈθæn əˌtaɪz/; especially British, eu·tha·nise, eu·than·a·tise. Origin of euthanize First recorded in 1960–65; euthan(asia) + -ize British Dictionary definitions for euthanise euthanize euthanise Austral euthanaze or euthanase (ˈjuːθəˌneɪz) verb
- (tr) to kill (a person or animal) painlessly, esp to relieve suffering from an incurable illness
Word Origin for euthanize C20: back formation from euthanasia Word Origin and History for euthanise v.
chiefly British English spelling of euthanize; for suffix, see -ize. Related: Euthanised; euthanising.
euthanize v.
by 1915, in place of earlier and etymologically correct euthanatize (1873); see euthanasia + -ize. Related: Euthanized; euthanizing.