weed-preventing
|weed-pre-vent-ing|
/wiːd-prɪˈvɛntɪŋ/
(weed-prevent)
stop weeds
Etymology
'weed-preventing' originates from English, specifically the words 'weed' and 'preventing', where 'weed' comes from Old English 'wēod' meaning 'herb, weed' and 'preventing' comes from Latin 'praevenire' (via Old French 'prevenir') where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'venire' meant 'to come'.
'weed' changed from Old English 'wēod' (meaning 'herb, weed') into the modern English 'weed'. 'Prevent' came from Latin 'praevenire' → Old French 'prevenir' → Middle English 'prevn(en)/preven' and eventually the modern English 'prevent'; the compound 'weed-preventing' is a modern English formation combining those elements.
Initially, components meant 'herb/weed' (for 'weed') and 'to come before' (for 'prevent'); over time 'prevent' developed the sense 'to stop or hinder', so the compound evolved to mean 'stopping or inhibiting weeds'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present-participle form of 'weed-prevent' — to take action to prevent weeds (used in progressive constructions or as a participial adjective).
They are weed-preventing the vegetable beds with black plastic.
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Adjective 1
preventing or inhibiting the growth or spread of weeds; describing materials, methods, or conditions that reduce weed growth.
This garden uses a weed-preventing fabric to cut down on maintenance.
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Last updated: 2025/11/28 06:50