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antiseptic

 - 6 dictionary results

an⋅ti⋅sep⋅tic

[an-tuh-sep-tik]
–adjective
1. pertaining to or affecting antisepsis.
2. free from or cleaned of germs and other microorganisms.
3. exceptionally clean or neat.
4. free of contamination or pollution.
–noun
5. an antiseptic agent.

Origin:
1745–55; anti- + septic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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an·ti·sep·tic   (ān'tĭ-sěp'tĭk)   
adj.  
  1. Of, relating to, or producing antisepsis.

  2. Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.

  3. Thoroughly clean; aseptic. See Synonyms at clean.

  4. Of or associated with the use of antiseptics.

    1. Devoid of enlivening or enriching qualities: "This is . . . not at all lighthearted or amiable music. In fact, the tone is unremittingly sober and antiseptic" (Donal Henahan).

    2. Free of disturbing or unpleasant features; sanitized: an antiseptic version of history.

n.  A substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of disease-causing microorganisms.
an'ti·sep'ti·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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Word Origin & History

antiseptic 
1751, coined from Gk. anti- "against" + sepsis "putrefaction."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1an·ti·sep·tic
Pronunciation: "ant-&-'sep-tik
Function: adjective
1 a : opposing sepsis,putrefaction, or decay; especially : preventing or arresting the growth of microorganisms (as on living tissue) b : acting or protecting like an antiseptic
2 : relating to or characterized by the use of antiseptics
3 : free of living microorganisms : scrupulously clean : ASEPTICan·ti·sep·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Main Entry: 2antiseptic
Function: noun
: a substance (as hydrogen peroxide) that checks the growth or action of microorganisms especially in or on livingtissue; also : GERMICIDE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

antiseptic an·ti·sep·tic (ān'tĭ-sěp'tĭk)
adj.

  1. Of, relating to, or producing antisepsis.

  2. Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents.

n.
A substance that inhibits the proliferation of infectious agents.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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