Main Entry:

der·ris

Pronunciation:

\ˈder-əs, ˈde-rəs\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

New Latin, genus name, from Greek, skin, from derein to skin — more at tear

Date:

1919

1 : a preparation chiefly of ground derris roots used as an insecticide 2 : any of a large genus (Derris) of tropical Eurasian shrubs and woody vines of the legume family including sources of poisons and especially commercial sources of rotenone