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derris

[ 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.

Nearby words

  1. derrida,
  2. derrida, jacques,
  3. derriere,
  4. derring-do,
  5. derringer,
  6. derrière,
  7. derro,
  8. derry,
  9. dertrum,
  10. derv

Origin of derris

1855–60; New Latin < Greek: a covering, derivative of déros skin, hide; see derma1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for derris

derris

/ (ˈdɛrɪs) /

noun

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

Word Origin for derris

C19: New Latin, from Greek: covering, leather, from deros skin, hide, from derein to skin
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