preemergence

Or pre-e·mer·gence

[pree-i-mur-juhns]

adjective

1. occurring or applied before the emergence of a plant from the soil.

   preemergence herbicide.

Word History and Origins

Origin of preemergence¹

First recorded in 1930–35; pre- + emergence

Example Sentences

Depending on the season, seedling diseases-which include preemergence damping off-can take a large percentage of the U.S. cotton crop.

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