pesticide — a chemical substance used to kill pests, especially insects and other organisms that damage crops
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a chemical substance used to kill pests, especially insects and other organisms that damage crops
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpestɪsaɪd/
Example Sentences
- The organic farm proudly displays a sign: 'No pesticides used - our vegetables are as natural as my grandmother's cooking!'
- Scientists are developing new pesticides that target specific pests without harming beneficial insects.
- After using too much pesticide, the farmer joked that even the weeds were wearing gas masks.
pesticide
NOUN[/ˈpestɪsaɪd/]
a chemical substance used to kill pests, especially insects and other organisms that damage crops
The farmer carefully sprayed pesticide to protect the crops from insects.
Pesticide protects plants from harmful pests.
The farmer used pesticide to protect the countryside crops with the guide's advice.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Pesticide was coined in the 1930s as a compound of pest (from Latin pestis, meaning plague or harmful creature) and -cide (from Latin caedere, meaning to kill). The term reflects the chemical warfare approach to controlling agricultural pests.
Breakdown
pest (harmful insect or creature) + -cide (from Latin caedere, to kill or slay). The suffix -cide is used productively in English to denote substances or agents that kill a specified target.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The organic farm proudly displays a sign: 'No pesticides used - our vegetables are as natural as my grandmother's cooking!'”
“Scientists are developing new pesticides that target specific pests without harming beneficial insects.”
“After using too much pesticide, the farmer joked that even the weeds were wearing gas masks.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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