— eradicant /i rad"i keuhnt/ , adj. , n. — eradication , n. — eradicative , adj. — eradicator , n.
/i rad"i kayt'/ , v.t., eradicated, eradicating .
1. to remove or destroy utterly; extirpate: to eradicate smallpox throughout the world.
2. to erase by rubbing or by means of a chemical solvent: to eradicate a spot.
3. to pull up by the roots: to eradicate weeds.
[ 1555-65; eradicatus rooted out (ptp. of eradicare ), equiv. to e- E- + radic- (s. of radix ) ROOT 1 + -atus -ATE 1 ]
Syn. 1. obliterate, uproot, exterminate, annihilate. See abolish .