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derris

Pronunciation: /ˈdɛrɪs/
Definition of derris

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] an insecticide containing rotenone, made from the powdered roots of certain tropical plants.
  • 2a woody climbing plant of the pea family, which has tuberous roots from which the insecticide derris is obtained.
    • Genus Derris, family Leguminosae

Origin:

mid 19th century (in sense 2): modern Latin (genus name), from Greek, 'leather covering' (referring to the plant's leathery pods)

derris in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of derris in the US English dictionary
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