germicidal
|ger-mi-cid-al|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌdʒɜːrmɪˈsaɪdl/
🇬🇧
/ˌdʒɜːmɪˈsaɪdl/
germ-killing
Etymology
Etymology Information
'germicidal' originates from the combination of 'germ' and the suffix '-cidal', where 'germ' refers to microorganisms and '-cidal' means 'killing'.
Historical Evolution
'germicidal' was formed in English by combining 'germ' with the suffix '-cidal', which is derived from Latin 'caedere', meaning 'to kill'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'killing germs', and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
capable of killing germs or microorganisms.
The hospital uses germicidal lamps to ensure a sterile environment.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/02/28 15:42