Autocide

Pronunciation varies by accent · noun

Meaning

(uncountable, agriculture) Control of a pest through propagation of sterile males..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable, agriculture) Control of a pest through propagation of sterile males.
2. (countable and uncountable, bacteriology) A substance produced by a bacterium that is fatal to that bacterium.
3. An act of suicide committed by crashing an automobile.
4. An act of killing someone with an automobile.
5. (rare) One who commits suicide.

Example Sentences

Generally, autocide is most effective when applied to restricted populations (islands, etc.), but can be effective on parts of continents.

Five different autocides have been isolated from Myxococcus xanthus.

"Autocide is becoming the second most popular method for older teens to commit suicide," she said.

For as Saint Auguſtine reaſons well againſt ſuch Autocides and ſelfe murtherers, it is rather a token of puſillanimity and lacke of courage in them, than otherwayes a marke of true reſolution to doe ſo; […]

The irony of Johnson's title is that only two years later this most professional of artists - poet, novelist, short-story writer, filmmaker, dramatist, and sports journalist - killed himself at the age of forty-two. The autobiographer as autocide.

Synonyms for autocide

Antonyms for autocide

Related Words

Word Forms

• autocides

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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