Coccidiocidal

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of coccidia, which are parasitic protozoa causing disease in animals
2. Exhibiting properties that destroy coccidia organisms, thereby preventing or treating infections caused by these protozoan parasites
3. Having the ability to act against coccidia by eliminating or suppressing these microscopic parasites responsible for illness in hosts

Etymology: Coccidiocidal is a technical coinage built from scientific parts. Its first element comes from "Coccidia," the name for a group of single-celled parasites, which itself comes from the Greek "kokkos," meaning "berry" or "seed," a nod to the round shape of many of these organisms. The second element is the Latin-derived suffix "-cida," from "caedere," "to cut or kill," the same root that gives English "insecticide" and "homicide." The word was made by joining these pieces to name a substance or action that destroys coccidia, most often in veterinary and poultry medicine, where these parasites cause serious intestinal disease. Like many such terms, it belongs to the modern scientific vocabulary built from classical roots rather than to any ancient usage. Its exact date and first author are uncertain, so they are not given here.

Synonyms: anticoccidial, parasite-killing, coccidia-killing