noun

herbicide

herbicide, weedkiller

The farmer sprayed herbicide on the fields.

The farmer sprayed herbicide on the fields.

Some herbicides are harmful to the environment.

Some herbicides are harmful to the environment.

((noun)) a substance used to destroy unwanted vegetation The farmer sprayed herbicide on the fields.

Synonyms: weedkiller, defoliant

From Latin 'herba' (herb) + '-cide' (a killer, from 'caedere' to kill). Literally 'herb killer'.

Break it down: 'herbi-' (herb) + '-cide' (to kill). The '-cide' part is the same as in 'suicide' or 'homicide'.

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