What does vermifugal mean?
Vermifugal is a formal adjective meaning that expels worms, especially intestinal worms. It describes the action or medicinal effect of a substance rather than the substance itself: the usual noun for such a drug is vermifuge, while anthelmintic is the more familiar modern term. In earlier medical and veterinary writing, “vermifugal action” referred to a drug's ability to drive parasites from the digestive tract. Today the word is chiefly encountered in historical pharmacology, technical texts, or formal descriptions of medicines. Its unusual sound and transparent Latin formation make it especially memorable: vermi- means “worm,” while fugal conveys “driving away.” Unlike the broader modern term anthelmintic, vermifugal specifically emphasizes expulsion rather than destruction. Its narrow traditional meaning nevertheless overlaps with modern usage, since anthelmintic medicines may expel worms as well as kill them.
adjectiveCausing the expulsion of worms, especially intestinal worms, from the body.
- Causing worms, especially intestinal worms, to be expelled from the body.
"The veterinarian administered a vermifugal medicine to expel the dog's intestinal worms."
"The veterinarian used a vermifugal drug to expel the dog's intestinal worms."
"Researchers studied the vermifugal action of several traditional plant preparations."
Vermifugal literally means “worm-driving away” — an unusually blunt description for a medicine that sends intestinal worms on their way.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vermifugal
Vermifugal combines Latin vermis (“worm”) with the fug- element of Latin fugere (“to drive away”), literally suggesting the action of driving worms away. The adjective entered English medical usage in the early nineteenth century, alongside the noun vermifuge and the broader term anthelmintic. Vermicide and vermicular are English relatives that preserve the same Latin word for a worm.
Related word forms
How vermifugal is actually used
A formal, specialized term used chiefly in medical, pharmaceutical, and veterinary writing. In modern clinical usage, anthelmintic is generally more familiar and may describe medicines that either kill or expel worms.
Easily confused with vermifugal
Vermifugal is a relatively rare adjective, whereas vermifuge is the more familiar noun for a substance that expels worms and can also be used adjectivally.