disinfest
|dis-in-fest|
/ˌdɪsɪnˈfɛst/
remove pests
Etymology
'disinfest' is formed from the prefix 'dis-' (from Latin) meaning 'apart, away, reverse' + the verb 'infest' (from Latin 'infestare').
'infest' comes from Latin 'infestare' meaning 'to attack' or 'to trouble'; it passed into English via Old French/Late Latin forms and Middle English, becoming 'infest'. 'disinfest' was later formed in English by adding the prefix 'dis-' to 'infest' to indicate removal or reversal.
Initially components meant 'away from' ('dis-') and 'to attack/trouble' ('infestare'); combined as 'disinfest' the meaning developed as 'to remove or drive away what infests' and has remained focused on removal of pests/infestation.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
noun form of 'disinfest': the act or process of removing pests; disinfestation.
Disinfestation of the old building took several days.
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Verb 1
to remove or get rid of pests, vermin, parasites, or infestations from a place, person, or thing; to free from infestation.
They will disinfest the grain store before the harvest.
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Adjective 1
adjective form of 'disinfest': freed from pests or infestation; having been disinfested.
The disinfested crates were stacked outside the barn.
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Last updated: 2025/12/10 00:18