Anthelmintic
/ˌænθəlˈmɪntɪk/noun
A drug or substance used to kill or expel parasitic worms.
Did you know?The word preserves the Greek term helmins, meaning “worm,” especially a parasitic intestinal worm—a category that ancient physicians treated with herbs, purges, and ritualized remedies.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀντί (antí)
“Against, opposite, or in place of”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἕλμινς (hélmins), ἕλμινθος (hélminthos)
“Worm, especially a parasitic intestinal worm”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀνθελμινθικός (anthelminthikós)
“Against worms; vermifugal”
Late Greek and Medieval Latin
Greek/Latin
anthelminticus
“Pertaining to remedies against intestinal worms”
19th Century
English
anthelmintic
“A medicine or substance used to destroy or expel parasitic worms”
Modern English
English
anthelmintic
“A deworming drug or agent”
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