fumigate
UK: ˈfjuːmɪɡeɪt | US: ˈfjuːmɪɡeɪt
vt. to disinfect or purify by exposing to smoke or fumes
vt. to apply chemical fumes to eliminate pests or pathogens
The word "fumigate" traces back to Latin fumigare, derived from fumus (smoke) + -igare (a suffix related to causing or acting). Historically, fumigation involved burning substances to produce smoke for purification or pest control. The morpheme fum preserves the core idea of smoke, while -ate marks it as a verb. The term reflects ancient practices of using smoke for cleansing, later adapted into modern pest control methods.
Farmers fumigate their grain storage to prevent insect infestations.
The hospital rooms were fumigated after the outbreak.
Ancient civilizations fumigated homes with herbs to ward off disease.
Pest control experts fumigate buildings using specialized chemicals.
Before moving in, they decided to fumigate the old house thoroughly.