antiseptic
/ˌæntiˈsɛptɪk/ adjective, noun
Forms antiseptics
- adjective Of or relating to antisepsis or the use of antiseptics.
- adjective (pharmacology) Capable of preventing microbial infection.
- adjective Very clean; aseptic.
- adjective Free of unpleasantness; prim, sanitized or bowdlerized.
- noun (pharmacology) Any substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. Generally includes only those that are used on living objects (as opposed to disinfectants) and aren't transported by the lymphatic system to destroy bacteria in the body (as opposed to antibiotics).
Antonyms
Etymology
From anti- + septic.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Counteracting or preventing putrefaction, or a putrescent tendency in the system; antiputrefactive. Antiseptic surgery, that system of surgical practice which insists upon a systematic use of antiseptics in the performance of operations and the dressing of wounds.
- noun A substance which prevents or retards putrefaction, or destroys, or protects from, putrefactive organisms; as, salt, carbolic acid, alcohol, cinchona.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “antiseptic”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details