éradiquer

éradiquer is a French transitive verb meaning to remove or destroy something completely, so that it no longer exists in a given area or context. It is commonly used for diseases, pests, illegal activities, or social problems, as well as for removing an element from the map or from public life. In public health, eradicating a disease implies permanent global elimination; in other contexts, the term can refer to near-total elimination within a region or community, depending on feasibility.

Etymology and form: éradiquer comes from Latin eradicare, from eradicus or eradic- “uprooted,” itself from radix “root.” It is a regular -er verb in French. Typical present tense forms are: j’éradique, tu éradiques, il éradique, nous éradiquons, vous éradiquez, ils éradiquent. The past participle is éradiqué and the gerund is éradiquant. The related noun is éradi cation, with the corresponding sense of the act or result of eradicating.

Usage notes: the term carries a strong sense of thoroughness and finality, though real-world eradication may be limited by practical, ethical, or ecological considerations. It coexists with related verbs such as éliminer, abolir, or détruire, which may be preferred when the elimination is not intended to be absolute. Common collocations include éradiquer une maladie, éradiquer la pauvreté, éradiquer des nuisibles, and éradiquer une menace.

See also: éradi cation (noun). The concept is central in epidemiology, public health, and policy discussions about eliminating harmful agents or practices.