| -cide | |
| —n combining form | |
| 1. | indicating a person or thing that kills: insecticide |
| 2. | indicating a killing; murder: homicide |
| [from Latin -cīda (agent), -cīdium (act), from caedere to kill] | |
| -cidal | |
| —adj combining form | |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
-cide suff.
Killer: bactericide.
Act of killing: suicide.
| -cide
A suffix that means "a killer of." It is used to form the names of chemicals that kill a specified organism, such as pesticide, a chemical that kills pests. |