What does vermicide mean?
A vermicide is a substance or agent intended to kill worms. It is used particularly in agriculture, horticulture, and pest control, where it may be applied to soil, crops, or other affected areas. The word is also associated with products intended to destroy parasitic worms, although anthelmintic is the more usual medical term. Vermicide is a fairly specialized word rather than part of everyday general vocabulary, but its meaning is direct: it combines the Latin root for “worm” with a killing-forming element. The related adjective is vermicidal, as in a vermicidal treatment or spray. Because some worm-killing chemicals can also affect beneficial soil organisms, the word is especially likely to appear in environmental, agricultural, or product-safety contexts.
nounA chemical or other agent used to kill worms. The term is most often used in agricultural and pest-control contexts, including the treatment of soil or crops.
- A substance or agent used to kill worms.
"The farmer applied a vermicide to the affected field."
"The farmer applied a vermicide to the infected soil."
"The label warns that this vermicide may also harm beneficial earthworms."
The plural is used when referring to different worm-killing substances or agents.
"Several vermicides are approved for use on the crop."
A vermicide is a worm killer: a word rooted in Latin for worms and in the same killing-root found in words such as pesticide and herbicide.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vermicide come from?
Vermicide was formed in English from Latin vermis, meaning “worm,” together with a killing-forming element related to Latin caedere, “to kill.” The same elements can be seen in English compounds such as pesticide and herbicide. Other words associated with the worm root include vermin, vermicular, vermifuge, and vermivore.
Related word forms
How vermicide is actually used
This is a specialized technical term, especially common in agriculture and pest control. In medical contexts, anthelmintic is more usual for a drug used to destroy or expel parasitic worms.