fumigate

[fyoo-mi-geyt]

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verb (used with object), fu·mi·gat·ed, fu·mi·gat·ing.

to expose to smoke or fumes, as in disinfecting or exterminating roaches, ants, etc.

Origin of fumigate

1520–30; < Latin fūmigātus, past participle of fūmigāre to smoke, fumigate, equivalent to fūm(us) smoke + -igāre (v. suffix based on -ig-, noun derivative of agere to drive, do, as in remex, stem remig- oarsman, hence remigāre to row)

Related formsfu·mi·ga·tion, nounfu·mi·ga·to·ry

[fyoo-mi-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -gey-tuh-ree] /ˈfyu mɪ gəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, -ˌgeɪ tə ri/, adjectivesub·fu·mi·ga·tion, nounun·fu·mi·gat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for fumigation

ventilation, airing

Examples from the Web for fumigation

Historical Examples of fumigation

Things that are only shown twice in the year or so, with fumigation!
Hortus Inclusus
John Ruskin
It may be necessary to resort to fumigation, but this should be done by an expert.
Foods and Household Management
Helen Kinne
The method most generally adopted for their destruction is fumigation with tobacco.
Talks about Flowers.
M. D. Wellcome
Spirocide is administered by means of fumigation and inhalation.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2
Various
All this fumigation and manipulation is intended to act as a preventive.
The Child in the Midst
Mary Schauffler Labaree

British Dictionary definitions for fumigation

fumigate

verb

to treat (something contaminated or infected) with fumes or smoke

Derived Formsfumigation, nounfumigator, noun

Word Origin for fumigate

C16: from Latin fūmigāre to smoke, steam, from fūmus smoke + agere to drive, produce

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

Word Origin and History for fumigation

late 14c., "make aromatic smoke as part of a ceremony," from Old French fumigation, from Latin fumigationem (nominative fumigatio) "a smoking," noun of action from past participle stem of fumigare "to smoke," from fumus "smoke, fume" (see fume) + root of agere "to drive" (see act (n.)). Sense of "exposure (of someone or something) to aromatic fumes" is c.1400, originally as a medicinal or therapeutic treatment.

fumigate

1520s, back-formation from fumigation. Related: Fumigated; fumigating.

fumigation in Medicine

fumigate

[fyōō′mĭ-gāt′]

v.

To subject to smoke or fumes, usually in order to exterminate pests or disinfect.

Related formsfu′mi•ga′tion n.