The spelling of the word "suicidal" reflects its pronunciation. It is pronounced /suːɪˈsaɪdəl/, with the primary stress on the second syllable. The "c" in the word is pronounced as "s," which is why it is spelled with an "i" instead of a "u." The suffix "-idal" derives from the Latin "-īdus," meaning "of, belonging to, or connected with," and adds the meaning of "tendency or disposition toward." Together, the word "suicidal" refers to a person or behavior that is inclined or predisposed toward suicidal ideation or action.
suicidal (adjective):
1. Inclined or intending to cause one's own death deliberately and intentionally. It refers to an individual who has lost all hope, is overwhelmed by despair, and actively seeks to end their own life as a means of escape or relief from their emotional pain or unbearable circumstances. This state of mind can manifest through actions, thoughts, or behaviors whereby a person may exhibit self-destructive tendencies, make repeated threats of self-harm, or engage in activities that put their life at risk.
2. Describing a situation, behavior, or decision that carries a great risk of severe harm or disastrous consequences, both literally and metaphorically. Beyond referring solely to self-inflicted harm, this definition encompasses hazardous actions or choices that can lead to ruin, detriment, or significant damage either to oneself, others, or the surrounding environment.
3. Pertaining to mental distress or psychological anguish to an extent that makes someone contemplate or act upon thoughts of self-annihilation. Suicidal emotions often stem from a variety of underlying factors such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or a sense of hopelessness. Individuals experiencing suicidal tendencies commonly require immediate intervention, supportive care, and professional treatment to ensure their safety and promote their overall well-being.
Understanding and addressing suicidality requires empathy, compassion, and qualified support from mental health professionals and society as a whole. It is crucial to create open dialogue, raise awareness, and provide accessible resources for individuals who may be in crisis, fostering an environment that promotes mental health strengthening, intervention, and prevention.
Partaking of the crime of self-murder; pert. to or tainted with the desire to commit suicide.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "suicidal" has Latin origins. It is derived from the Latin word "suicidium", which is a combination of "sui" (self) and "cidium" (act of killing). In Latin, "sui" refers to oneself, and "cidium" is derived from "caedere", meaning "to cut" or "to kill".
Over time, the word "suicidal" entered the English language, signifying a state or action of intentionally causing one's own death.