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antibiotics

 - 5 dictionary results

an⋅ti⋅bi⋅ot⋅ic

[an-ti-bahy-ot-ik, -bee-, an-tee-, -tahy-] Biochemistry, Pharmacology
–noun
1. any of a large group of chemical substances, as penicillin or streptomycin, produced by various microorganisms and fungi, having the capacity in dilute solutions to inhibit the growth of or to destroy bacteria and other microorganisms, used chiefly in the treatment of infectious diseases.
–adjective
2. of or involving antibiotics.

Origin:
1855–60, for an earlier sense; anti- + biotic


an⋅ti⋅bi⋅ot⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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an·ti·bi·ot·ic   (ān'tĭ-bī-ŏt'ĭk, ān'tī-)   
n.  A substance, such as penicillin or streptomycin, produced by or derived from certain fungi, bacteria, and other organisms, that can destroy or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. Antibiotics are widely used in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
adj.  
  1. Of or relating to antibiotics.

  2. Of or relating to antibiosis.

  3. Destroying life or preventing the inception or continuance of life.

an'ti·bi·ot'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2antibiotic
Function: noun
: a substance produced by or a semisynthetic substance derived from a microorganism and able in dilute solution toinhibit or kill another microorganism
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

antibiotic an·ti·bi·ot·ic (ān'tĭ-bī-ŏt'ĭk, ān'tī-)
n.
A substance, such as penicillin or streptomycin, produced by or derived from certain fungi, bacteria, and other organisms, that can destroy or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. adj.

  1. Of or relating to antibiotics.

  2. Of or relating to antibiosis.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
antibiotic   (ān'tĭ-bī-ŏt'ĭk)  Pronunciation Key 
Noun   A substance, such as penicillin, that is capable of destroying or weakening certain microorganisms, especially bacteria or fungi, that cause infections or infectious diseases. Antibiotics are usually produced by or synthesized from other microorganisms, such as molds. They inhibit pathogens by interfering with essential intracellular processes, including the synthesis of bacterial proteins. Antibiotics do not kill viruses and are not effective in treating viral infections.

Adjective  
  1. Relating to antibiotics.

  2. Relating to antibiosis.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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