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Definition of infanticide

infanticide

/ɪnˈfæn.tɪ.saɪd/
in · fan · ti · cide
Plural:infanticides
•
Adjective:infanticidal
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infanticide Lexical Profile

infanticide Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The crime or act of intentionally killing an infant, especially within the first year of life.

Example

"Anthropologists and historians have examined how socioeconomic pressures contributed to the practice of infanticide in ancient societies."

2

A person who intentionally kills an infant.

Example

"Under the revised penal code, a convicted infanticide faced a distinct legal classification depending on psychiatric evaluation."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for infanticide

• Nearby Words

infancy
infant
infanthood
infanticide
infantile
infantilization
infantry

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 17th century from French infanticide, which derives from Late Latin infanticidium ('the killing of an infant') and infanticida ('one who kills an infant'), combining Latin infans ('infant') with -cidium or -cida, from caedere ('to cut down or kill').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Infanticide. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/infanticide
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