spermatocide

9.3

A substance that kills sperm to stop pregnancy

noun
/ˌspɜrˈmætəˌsaɪd/

Specialized

: espermaticida

Some gels and foams that act as spermatocides can be purchased without a prescription.

Examples

Many women prefer using spermatocides as a birth control method.
The doctor recommended a spermatocide as an option for additional contraception.
She researched different spermatocide products before choosing one that suited her needs.
The doctor recommended a spermatocide for effective contraception.
Some gels and foams that act as spermatocides can be purchased without a prescription.
She researched different spermatocide products before choosing one that suited her needs.
The doctor recommended a spermatocide as an option for additional contraception.

Synonyms

contraception

vsspermatocide

175 4.4

Methods and devices that prevent pregnancy when people have sex

is a single substance that kills sperm rather than the general practice

spermicide

vsspermatocide

Specialized

7 7.2

A cream or gel that kills sperm to help prevent pregnancy

is an alternative term with identical meaning

contraceptive method

vsspermatocide

1 3.5

A way to prevent pregnancy, often using a device like a condom or a medicine like a pill

is specific to substances that kill sperm rather than devices

Surface Forms

spermatocide singular

spermatocides plural

Morphology

spermatocide = sperm (semi-transparent) = sperm + cide

The meaning 'sperm-killing substance' is fairly recoverable from 'sperm' and '-cide', but the word is technical and uses a classical scientific formation.

Etymology

Spermatocide comes from the Greek sperma 'seed' (you see this in sperm) and the part -cide 'kill' (as in pesticide). So a spermatocide is a substance that 'kills' sperm to stop fertilization.