-cide

American  

1. a learned borrowing from Latin meaning “killer,” “act of killing,” used in the formation of compound words.

   pesticide, homicide.

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-cide British  

combining form

1. indicating a person or thing that kills

   insecticide

2. indicating a killing; murder

   homicide

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–cide Scientific  

1. 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.

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Usage

What does -cide mean? The combining form -cide is used like a suffix meaning “killer” or "act of killing." It is often used in a variety of scientific and technical terms.The form -cide ultimately comes from Latin caedere, meaning “to kill, to strike down.”What are variants of -cide?While -cide does not have any variants, it is related to the combining form -cidal, which is used to form adjectives that correspond to nouns ending in -cide, as in patricidal. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on -cidal.

Other Word Forms

• -cidal combining form

Etymology

Origin of -cide

late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin -cīda “killer,” -cīdium “act of killing,” derivatives of caedere “to strike, beat, cut down, kill” (in compounds -cīdere )

Example Sentences

Professional gardeners and certified applicators who work in agriculture are at an advantage with chemicals, though, knowing which “cide” is the right one and when and where exactly to apply them.

From Seattle Times

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Funny Cide, the “Gutsy Gelding” who became a fan favorite after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2003, has died from complications of colic.

From Washington Times

Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington farm where Funny Cide lived for his final 15 years, confirmed the thoroughbred died Sunday, as did Sackatoga Stable, the group of 10 friends from a small town in upstate New York who owned the gelding.

From Washington Times

“We are heartbroken at the news of Funny Cide’s passing this morning. What a ride The Gutsy Gelding took us on winning @KentuckyDerby & @PreaknessStakes. We are so grateful to @KyHorsePark for giving our guy a wonderful retirement. To say we will miss him, is an understatement,” the stable tweeted.

From Washington Times

Funny Cide won 11 of 38 starts and earned $3,529,412 in his career.

From Washington Times