preemergent

or pre-e·mer·gent

[ pree-i-mur-juhnt ]

adjective

, Horticulture.

1. of or relating to seedlings before they emerge or appear above ground:

   a preemergent weed-killer.

noun

1. a preemergence chemical, as a herbicide.

Word History and Origins

Origin of preemergent¹

First recorded in 1955–60; pre- + emergent