insecticide

noun an-sek-tee-SEED Rare

Origin: Latin insectum + caedere, 'to kill'

Usage Note

Insecticide can function as both a noun (un insecticide) and an adjective (un produit insecticide). In gardening and agriculture it refers to any chemical or biological agent used to kill insects. The related word pesticide is broader, covering all pests.

Examples

"Il a pulvérisé de l'insecticide sur les plantes."

Natural Translation

He sprayed insecticide on the plants.

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