To completely destroy or get rid of something, especially a problem, disease, or harmful practice. It means removing it so thoroughly that it no longer exists.
From Latin *eradicare* 'to root out, eradicate', from *e-* 'out' and *radix* 'root'. The original image is pulling a plant out by its roots so it cannot grow back.
Eradicate is more intense than just 'fix'—it imagines ripping something out by the roots so it can’t return. That’s why public health celebrates 'disease eradication' as a once-in-history achievement, like with smallpox. The gardening image is still hidden inside the word every time we use it for social problems.
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