Averruncates

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. It means to ward off a harm or evil ; it also means to cut away or uproot unwanted growth
2. Such a word describes turning away harm or misfortune ; it likewise describes clipping or pulling out unwanted growth by the root
3. The verb means to avert something bad or evil ; it can also mean to root out or lop off unwanted growth

Etymology: "Averruncates" is the third-person singular form of "averruncate," a verb meaning to ward off harm. The verb comes from Latin "āverruncāre," meaning "to avert," built from "āb" ("off") and "verruncāre" ("to turn"). Its spelling, however, reflects a mistake. Latin writers came to associate the word with "ērūncāre" ("to weed out"), and the spelling was adjusted to match that supposed root, so a verb about turning things aside ended up looking like one about pulling them up. The verb's meaning fits its origin in an unexpected way. Something averted is turned away, and the mistaken link to weeding suggests removing a threat before it can take root. The English word keeps the sense of guarding against harm, while its letters preserve a misreading that Latin speakers made long before the word reached English.

Synonyms: avert, ward off, avoid