[f. FŒT-US + -(I)CIDE: see -CIDE 2.] The action of destroying a fœtus or causing abortion. Also attrib.
1844. Hoblyn, Dict. Med. Terms, s.v. The destruction of the fœtus in utero, commonly called criminal abortion.
1862. M. Hopkins, Hawaii, 365. Fœticide and abortion are meant no doubt to be included under the general name of infant murder; for he says ‘the means by which it is accomplished, though numerous, it would be improper to describe: several methods frequently proved fatal to the mother also.’
1889. J. M. Duncan, Lect. Dis. Women, viii. (ed. 4), 49. The value of fœticide treatment.
Hence Fœticidal a., of or pertaining to fœticide.
In some mod. Dicts.
