living will

living will Word Origin noun

1. a document instructing physicians, relatives, or others to refrain from the use of extraordinary measures, as life-support equipment, to prolong one’s life in the event of a terminal illness.

Origin of living will First recorded in 1970–75 British Dictionary definitions for living will living will noun

1. a document stating that if its author becomes terminally ill, his or her life should not be prolonged by artificial means, such as a life-support machine

living will in Medicine living will [lĭv′ĭng] n.

1. A will in which the signer requests not to be kept alive by medical life-support systems in the event of a terminal illness.