Neonicotinoids are a class of systemic insecticides chemically similar to nicotine, used to protect crops by targeting the nervous systems of insects. They are typically applied to seeds or soil, absorbed by plants, and transported to all tissues. The term denotes a family of compounds rather than a single chemical, with concerns about environmental impact and bee health informing regulatory discussion.
"Farmers increasingly rely on neonicotinoids to protect corn and soy crops from damaging pests."
"Some regulatory agencies have restricted certain neonicotinoids due to effects on pollinators."
"Researchers are exploring integrated pest management to reduce reliance on neonicotinoids."
"Discussants debated the balance between crop protection and ecological risk when evaluating neonicotinoids."
Neonicotinoids derives from the combination of the prefix neo- (new) and nicotinoid, which itself refers to nicotine-like structure. The root 'nicotinoid' traces to nicotine (from Latin nicotiana, a plant genus) and the -oid suffix meaning 'resembling' or 'like'. The term emerged in the late 20th century as chemists developed new classes of insecticides with nicotine-derived mechanisms. The early nicotine-like insecticides were developed in the 1940s–1960s, but the modern neonicotinoids—beginning in the 1990s with compounds like imidacloprid—redefined systemic action and selectivity. The first known use in scientific literature appeared in the 1990s as registries documented their properties, including systemic uptake and insecticidal potency. The word captures a family identity rather than a single substance, highlighting both novelty and a shared chemical motif with nicotine analogs. Over time, the term has become central in regulatory and environmental discussions due to their widespread agricultural deployment and ecological effects.
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Words that rhyme with "Neonicotinoids"
-yed sounds
-oid sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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pronunciation: /ˌniː.oʊ.nɪˈkɒ.tɪ.nɔɪdz/ (US) or /ˌnɪ.kəˌɒ.tɪˈnaɪdz/ (UK sometimes). Place stress on the third syllable: ne-o-ni-TOI-noids, with secondary stress on the initial two syllables. Start with a clear 'nee' sound, glide to 'oh' or 'oʊ', then 'ni' as in 'nick', 'ko' as in 'cot', 'ti' as in 'tea', and end with 'noids' /nɔɪdz/. For reliable reference, listen to pronunciation resources or major dictionaries with audio.
Common mistakes include flattening the stress (undue emphasis on the first syllable) and mispronouncing the -ti- as /ti/ instead of /tɪ/ in some accents. Another error is misplacing the consonant cluster between -kɒ- and -ti- causing a blurred boundary. Correction tips: rehearse as ne-o-ni-TOI-noids with clear /tɪ/ before the /nɔɪdz/ ending, and practice the sequence slowly, then speed up while maintaining the mora-timed rhythm.
US tends to yield a longer final diphthong in -noids, with stronger /ɔɪ/ in -noids; UK often features a crisper /ɪ/ in the -ti- and a more clipped /tɪ/ before the -nɔɪdz, while AU tends to maintain a clear /ɒ/ in -ko- and a broader /ɔɪ/ in the ending. The primary rhotic difference is minimal here, but rhythm and vowel quality shift subtly across accents, affecting how smoothly the syllables blend.
It's difficult because of the multi-syllabic sequence with three distinct vowel sounds and a compound -ti-n/ -tinoid cluster. The combination of /niː.oʊ.nɪ/ followed by /ˈkoʊ.tɪ.nɔɪdz/ creates a chain of shifts: long vowels, mid vowels, and a final diphthong. The rapid transition between stressed/unstressed segments and the -nɔɪdz ending can challenge non-native speakers and even seasoned readers.
Does the ending -noids ever get pronounced as a separate /nɔɪdz/ or as a reduced /noɪdz/ in fast speech? In careful speech, you hear /nɔɪdz/ clearly; in rapid contexts, some speakers may reduce vowels slightly but maintain the -dz voiced alveolar ending. For clarity in public talks or teaching video, keep the full /nɔɪdz/ ending.
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