eradicate
UK[ɪˈrædɪkeɪt]US[ɪˈrædɪkeɪt]
v
to destroy or get rid of something completely, especially something bad
Morpheme Breakdown
e
radic
ate
e
out
radic
root
ate
verb suffix
Etymology
the word 'eradicate' has a clear and logical journey from its latin origins to its modern english meaning. it derives from the latin verb 'eradicare', which is a compound of the prefix 'e-' (meaning 'out') and 'radix' (meaning 'root'). the literal sense was "to tear out by the roots" or "to uproot". this powerful agricultural metaphor was applied in latin to the removal of plants, and later extended figuratively to the complete destruction of anything considered deeply embedded or problematic. the term entered english in the late middle ages, retaining its core sense of total, root-and-branch elimination, which it still powerfully conveys today.
Analysis
Structure: e (out) + radic (root) + ate (verb suffix)
e: latin prefix, meaning "out" or "away from".
radic: latin root, from "radix, radic-" meaning "root".
ate: latin-derived suffix, used to form verbs meaning "to make" or "to act upon".
Examples
the government launched a campaign to eradicate the disease.
poverty is a complex issue that is difficult to eradicate completely.
the new software aims to eradicate these common errors from the system.