derris

[ der-is ]

/ ˈdɛr ɪs /

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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.

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Origin of derris

1855–60; New Latin <Greek: a covering, derivative of déros skin, hide; see derma¹

Words nearby derris

derrick, Derrida, derrière, derring-do, derringer, derris, derro, derry, dertrum, derv, dervish

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