Algicide
/ˈæl.dʒɪ.saɪd/noun
A substance used to kill algae.
Did you know?Algicide is a modern scientific compound, but its deadly ending -cide comes from Latin -cida, from caedere, meaning “to cut down” or “to kill,” the same ancient root behind homicide and pesticide.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
caedere
“to cut down, strike, or kill”
Late Latin
Latin
-cida
“a killer or slayer”
Modern Scientific English
English
alga
“algae; aquatic plant-like growth”
19th-20th Century
English
algicide
“a substance that kills algae”