electrothanasia

English

Etymology

electro- +‎ Ancient Greek θάνατος (thánatos, “death”), perhaps modeled after euthanasia.

Noun

electrothanasia (uncountable)

  1. (archaic, rare) execution by electricity
    • 1889, The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, page 265:
      […] there is a want of harmony between electrothanasia, as it takes place, and the humane ideal of death by electricity as it seems to have been pictured in the minds of the promotors of the new law.
    • 1890 September, “Electrocution or Electrothanasia.”, in American Druggists' Circular and Chemical Gazette‎[1], page 214:
      Electrothanasia is the new word which is proposed as a substitute for the bungling word “electrocution,” which does not express what it is used for, while the word suggested in place of it, though of Greek origin, expresses exactly what we mean when death is produced by electric action. At the same time it is a very ancient word for modern people to use, and it is an open question whether it will be generally acceptable, should execution by electricity be commonly adopted.
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