Filicide

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈfɪlɪsʌɪd/

Origin

From Latin filius ("son"), filia ("daughter") + -cide.

Full definition of filicide

Noun

1. A person who kills his or her own child.
• 1982, TC Boyle, Water Music, Penguin 2006, p. 287:Ned is running, panicked, ... running for the cold hard road and the sanctuary of the Brunch farm like a filicide caught in the act.
2. The killing of one's own child.

Usage notes

Infanticide is the usual English term, especially if the victim is at or near infancy. Filicide implies specifically the killing of one's own son or daughter, especially biological and if the victim lived past infancy.