antihelminthic
|an-ti-hel-min-thic|
/ˌæn.ti.helˈmɪn.θɪk/
against worms
Etymology
'antihelminthic' originates from New Latin and Greek, specifically the New Latin word 'antihelminthicus' formed from Greek elements 'anti-' and 'helminthos', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'helminthos' meant 'worm'.
'antihelminthic' changed from the New Latin word 'antihelminthicus' (used in medical and scientific Latin) and eventually became the modern English word 'antihelminthic' through adoption in medical terminology.
Initially, it meant 'against worms', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a substance or agent that destroys or expels parasitic worms; relating to such agents'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a drug or substance used to destroy or expel parasitic worms (a dewormer).
The doctor prescribed an antihelminthic to treat the tapeworm infection.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
having the property of destroying or expelling parasitic worms; used to describe agents or treatments that act against helminths.
They administered an antihelminthic treatment to the livestock.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/01 22:38