n.
Pronunciation: ' der- ə s, ' de-r ə s
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