Herbicide
/ˈɜːr.bɪ.saɪd/noun
A chemical substance used to kill or control unwanted plants.
Did you know?The ending “-cide” comes from Latin caedere, “to cut or kill,” the same root behind words such as “homicide,” “decide,” and “scissors.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰerbh-
“To grow or sprout; the proposed ancient root behind Latin herba”
Classical Latin
Latin
herba
“Grass, green plants, or vegetation”
Classical Latin
Latin
caedere
“To cut down, strike, or kill”
19th Century
Scientific English
herbicide
“A compound formed from herba and the combining form -cide, referring to something that kills plants”
Modern English
English
herbicide
“A substance used to destroy or control unwanted vegetation”