Main Entry:

erad·i·cate

Pronunciation:

\i-ˈra-də-ˌkāt\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

erad·i·cat·ed; erad·i·cat·ing

Etymology:

Latin eradicatus, past participle of eradicare, from e- + radic-, radix root — more at root

Date:

1532

1 : to pull up by the roots 2 : to do away with as completely as if by pulling up by the roots <programs to eradicate illiteracy>

synonyms see exterminate

— erad·i·ca·ble \-ˈra-di-kə-bəl\ adjective

— erad·i·ca·tion \-ˌra-də-ˈkā-shən\ noun

— erad·i·ca·tor \-ˌkā-tər\ noun