'amoebicidal' originates from 'New Latin', specifically the word 'amoeba', where 'amoeba' meant 'change' and the suffix '-cidal' from Latin 'caedere' meant 'to kill'.

'amoeba' transformed into the English word 'amoebicidal' by adding the suffix '-cidal', indicating the ability to kill amoebas.

Initially, it meant 'to kill amoebas', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.