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Glite Dictionary
insectifuge

insectifuge

9.9
A spray or cream that keeps insects away from skin
  • noun
  • /ɪnˈsɛktɪfjuːdʒ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : insectífugo
  • Applying an insectifuge to your skin can help protect you from mosquito bites.

Examples

  • I applied an insectifuge before going camping.

  • Scientists are developing an eco-friendly insectifuge that doesn't harm beneficial insects.

  • This new insectifuge is effective against a wide range of flying pests.

  • The insectifuge worked effectively against mosquitoes.

  • Applying an insectifuge to your skin can help protect you from mosquito bites.

  • Scientists are developing an eco-friendly insectifuge that doesn't harm beneficial insects.

  • This new insectifuge is effective against a wide range of flying pests.

Synonyms

repellent
vsinsectifuge
18 4.2

A chemical used to keep insects and other animals away

is limited to chemicals aimed only at insects rather than other animals
insect repellent
vsinsectifuge
3 3.2

A spray you put on skin or clothes to keep insects away

is the general term for a chemical that repels insects without application detail
insect repellant
vsinsectifuge
  • US
2.9

A substance you put on skin or clothes to keep insects away

is broader and refers to a repelling chemical without application specifics
metofluthrin
vsinsectifuge
  • Specialized
9.9

A chemical that keeps mosquitoes away

refers to any chemical used to repel insects, not a single substance

Antonyms

insecticide
  • Specialized
26 4.1

A chemical used to kill insects that harm crops or homes

How Repellent

insectifuge
  • Specialized
9.9
repellent
18 4.2

Surface Forms

insectifuge singular
insectifuges plural

Morphology

insectifuge = insect (semi-transparent) = insect + ifuge

The element 'insect' is obvious, but the combining ending '-ifuge' (meaning 'that drives away') is rare and not productive for most learners, so the meaning is only partly guessable.

Etymology

Insectifuge comes from the parts insect- ('insect') and -fuge ('to flee' or 'drive away'). Think of a fugitive, a person who runs away, because it uses the same 'flee' idea. So an insectifuge is something that makes insects 'flee' or go away, which is why it means a chemical that repels insects.