(from θάνατος, death), in some medical writers, denotes those who die a violent death. The word is also written, and with more propriety, biathanati; sometimes biothanti.

In a more particular sense, it denotes those who kill themselves, more properly called autodathani. In this sense it is that the word is used both by Greek and Latin writers. By the ancient discipline of the church, they were punished by denying them burial, and refusing all commemoration of them in the prayers and offices of the church.

(supposed by some to be derived from ζωή, life, and θάνατος, death, and alluding to the belief of a future life after death), was also a name of reproach given by the Heathens to the primitive Christians, for their constancy and readiness to lay down their lives in martyrdom.

BIOTHANATOS is also used in some writers of the barbarous age for wicked, damnable, or accursed.