1. The act of killing a newborn child, esp. by the parents or with their consent. • In archaic usage, the word referred also to the killing of an unborn child. — Also termed child destruction; neonaticide. Cf. FETICIDE; FILICIDE.
2. The practice of killing newborn children.
3. One who kills a newborn child. — Also termed child-slaying. Cf. PROLICIDE. — infanticidal, adj.