vermifuge

[ vur-muh-fyooj ]

adjective

1. serving to expel worms or other animal parasites from the intestines, as a medicine.

noun

1. a vermifuge medicine or agent.

vermifuge

/ ˌvɜːmɪˈfjuːɡəl; ˈvɜːmɪˌfjuːdʒ /

noun

1. any drug or agent able to destroy or expel intestinal worms; an anthelmintic

Derived Forms

• vermifugal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vermifuge¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; vermi- + -fuge

Example Sentences

Purslane, which the Cherokee used as a vermifuge because its scarlet stalks looked vaguely wormlike, is also a powerful antioxidant.

From New York Times

The mission doctor gave him quinine and vermifuges, which would give pinworms a run for their money, but likely not a green mamba.

From Literature

Finally, the treatment of that over-rated bugbear in the way of diseases, "Worms," is easily summarised thus—Meat feeding; an iron tonic; a vermifuge after the tonic course, and not before.

From Project Gutenberg

Professor Paresi, of Athens, when he was in Abyssinia, happened to discover that ordinary cocoanut possesses vermifuge qualities in a high degree.

From Project Gutenberg

In autumn all horses that have been grazing should be dosed with some vermifuge to destroy the worms that are invariably present, and thus prevent colic or an unthrifty or anaemic state.

From Project Gutenberg