permethrin
/pəˈmiːθrɪn
/noun [mass noun]
A synthetic insecticide of the pyrethroid class, used chiefly against disease-carrying insects.Pyrethrins and permethrin have a similar mode of activity....
- Common treatments for head lice include permethrin and lindane.
- Spray your clothing with permethrin insecticide spray.
Origin
1970s: from per- (sense 2) + (res)methrin, denoting a synthetic pyrethroid.