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derris

American

[der-is] / ˈdɛr ɪs /

noun

any East Indian plant belonging to the genus Derris, of the legume family, especially D. elliptica, the roots of which contain rotenone and are used as an insecticide.

derris British

/ ˈdɛrɪs /

noun

any East Indian leguminous woody climbing plant of the genus Derris , esp D. elliptica, whose roots yield the compound rotenone

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of derris

1855–60; New Latin < Greek: a covering, derivative of déros skin, hide; derma ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But no more rotenone comes from derris root in the East Indies, which used to supply more than half the U.S. needs.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023