Etymology Map
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Eradicate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to destroy completely

Where does the word "eradicate" come from? It comes from Latin eradicare, adopted directly into English (1560s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
eradicare
Latin · ancient
"to root out"
'e-', out, plus 'radix', root
2
Stage 2 of 2
eradicate
English · 1560s
"to uproot"
smallpox was eradicated in 1980
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Read the full story

Eradicate’s story begins in Latin: eradicare meant “to root out.” 'e-', out, plus 'radix', root. It reached English by 1560s as eradicate. Smallpox was eradicated in 1980. Today, eradicate means to destroy completely.