from Sia, violence, and \(\delta\), death, in some medical writers, denotes those who die a violent death. The word is also written, and with more propriety, biathanati. In a more particular sense, it denotes those who kill themselves, and are properly called autodestructi. In this sense it is that the word is used both by Greek and Latin writers.

supposed by some to be derived from \(\delta\), life, and \(\delta\), death, was also a name of reproach given by the Heathens to the primitive Christians, on account of their constancy and forwardness to lay down their lives in martyrdom.