CULICIFUGE Meaning and
Definition
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The term "culicifuge" refers to a substance or agent that repels or kills mosquitoes. It is derived from the Latin words "culicis" meaning "mosquito" and "fugere" meaning "to repel or drive away." A culicifuge can come in various forms, including lotions, sprays, creams, or candles, and is typically applied to the skin or the immediate surroundings to deter mosquitoes.
Culicifuges work by emitting certain chemicals or odors that disrupt the sensory receptors of mosquitoes. These substances interfere with the insects' ability to locate their hosts, making them less likely to bite or come into close proximity with humans. Some culicifuges contain insecticides that directly kill mosquitoes upon contact.
The need for culicifuges arises from the fact that mosquitoes are not merely a nuisance but also potential vectors for various diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. Therefore, utilizing culicifuges can significantly reduce the risk of contracting these illnesses, particularly in regions where mosquitoes are abundant.
It is important to note that while culicifuges are effective in repelling mosquitoes, they do not provide complete protection. It is advisable to complement their use with other preventive measures, such as wearing long-sleeved clothes, using mosquito nets, and eliminating standing water breeding sites.
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1. Driving away gnats and mosquitos. 2. An agent which keeps mosquitos from biting.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CULICIFUGE
- xulicifuge
- vulicifuge
- fulicifuge
- dulicifuge
- cylicifuge
- chlicifuge
- cjlicifuge
- cilicifuge
- c8licifuge
- c7licifuge
- cukicifuge
- cupicifuge
- cuoicifuge
- culucifuge
- culjcifuge
- culkcifuge
- culocifuge
- cul9cifuge
- cul8cifuge
- culixifuge
Etymology of CULICIFUGE
The word "culicifuge" is derived from two Latin words: "culex" (meaning "gnat" or "midge") and "fuger" (meaning "to drive away").
The Latin word "culex" was transformed into "culic-" in English to refer to mosquitoes. It is also the root of other words related to mosquitoes, such as "culicide" (killing of mosquitoes) and "culicidae" (the scientific family name for mosquitoes).
The Latin verb "fuger" means "to flee" or "to drive away". It has been used in various English words as well, such as "fugitive".
By combining these two Latin elements, "culicifuge" was formed to describe a substance or agent that repels or drives away mosquitoes, specifically.
Similar spelling word for CULICIFUGE
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