What does vermifuge mean?
Vermifuge is a formal medical term for a substance or medicine used to destroy or expel intestinal worms. As a noun, it refers to the drug itself, as in giving a patient an oral vermifuge; in contemporary medical writing, anthelmintic is usually the more familiar term. The word can also be used attributively to describe a worm-expelling remedy, while a rare verb form means to treat someone with such a remedy or expel worms. Its name comes from Latin vermis, “worm,” and fugare, “to drive away,” making it a notably literal drug name in English. Although vermifuge may sound quaint or Victorian, it remains intelligible in veterinary medicine and older pharmacology, where an unmistakable description of a remedy's action is useful. Encountering the word also reveals a clear piece of medical history: rather than relying on a chemical or commercial name, the term states directly that the substance drives worms from the body. Its rarity makes it valuable as a precise synonym when describing an agent specifically intended to rid an animal or person of intestinal parasites.
A substance or medicine that destroys or expels intestinal worms; an anthelmintic.
"The veterinarian prescribed an oral vermifuge for the infected puppy."
Chiefly medical or veterinary. Anthelmintic is the usual modern synonym.
Destroying or expelling intestinal worms; anthelmintic.
"The clinic recommended a monthly vermifuge treatment for the dogs."
Uncommon and often somewhat archaic in modern usage.
To expel worms from the body or to treat someone with a vermifuge.
"In the period account, the physician vermifuged the patient with a bitter draught."
Rare and literary; the verb is chiefly encountered in older writing.
The standard plural is vermifuges, though plural use is uncommon.
"The catalogue listed three vermifuges for veterinary use."
Its name says exactly what it does: Latin vermis, meaning “worm,” plus fugare, meaning “to drive away.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vermifuge come from?
Vermifuge entered English in the early 17th century from New Latin vermifugus, formed from Latin vermis, “worm,” and fugare, “to drive away,” which is related to fugere, “to flee.” The worm element also underlies English words such as vermin, vermicular, and vermiculation, while the drive-away element connects the term with the Latin family of fugere. French vermifuge is a close Romance cognate.
How vermifuge is actually used
A formal, chiefly medical or veterinary term. In modern clinical writing, anthelmintic is generally preferred. The adjective and verb forms are uncommon and may sound archaic or literary.
Easily confused with vermifuge
A vermifuge expels intestinal worms or acts against them, whereas a vermicide is specifically intended to kill the worms.