How Do You Spell MERCY-KILLING?

Pronunciation: [mˈɜːsikˈɪlɪŋ] (IPA)

Mercy-killing, also known as euthanasia, is a controversial topic in many societies. The spelling of the word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The word "mercy" is pronounced /ˈmɜːsi/, with the "e" sound in "mer" being pronounced as the "er" sound in "her". The word "killing" is pronounced /ˈkɪlɪŋ/, with the "i" being pronounced as the "ih" sound in "bin". Together, the word is pronounced /ˈmɜːsiˌkɪlɪŋ/.

MERCY-KILLING Meaning and Definition

  1. Mercy-killing, also known as euthanasia, refers to the act of intentionally causing the death of a person who is suffering from a terminal illness or incurable condition, in order to relieve their pain and suffering. This practice is conducted with the intention of showing compassion and providing a humane and merciful end to the individual's life.

    Mercy-killing can be classified into two main categories: voluntary and involuntary euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia occurs when the person who is suffering consents to end their life, often due to experiencing unbearable pain, loss of dignity, or the desire to maintain control over their own death. In contrast, involuntary euthanasia occurs when the decision to end a person's life is made by someone else, usually a healthcare professional or a loved one, without the explicit consent of the individual.

    There are ethical, legal, and moral debates surrounding the concept of mercy-killing. Advocates argue that it respects individuals' autonomy and grants them the right to die with dignity, while opponents view it as a violation of the sanctity of life and the domain of medical professionals to preserve life. Different countries have varying laws on euthanasia, with some allowing it under strict conditions, while others prohibit or heavily regulate the practice.

    The topic of mercy-killing generates intense discussion, reflecting society's struggle to balance the principles of compassion, autonomy, and the preservation of life.

Common Misspellings for MERCY-KILLING

  • mercuy killing
  • mercy kiling
  • mercy killing
  • mersy killing
  • mercypkilling
  • mercy0-killing
  • mercy-0killing
  • mercyp-killing
  • mercy-pkilling
  • mercy--killing
  • mercymkilling
  • mercey killing

Etymology of MERCY-KILLING

The etymology of the term "mercy-killing" can be broken down as follows:

1. Mercy: The word "mercy" comes from the Middle English word "merci" and the Old French word "merci", both of which mean "pity" or "forgiveness". These stem from the Latin word "mercedem", meaning "reward" or "favor", derived from "merx" meaning "goods" or "merchandise".

2. Killing: The word "killing" originates from the Old English word "cwellan", which means "to kill" or "to cause death". It is related to the Old Norse word "kvelja", which carries a similar meaning.

The term "mercy-killing" emerged in the early 20th century as a compound noun combining these two words.

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