Nearby Words
verb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing.
1.
to destroy microorganisms in or on, usually by bringing to a high temperature with steam, dry heat, or boiling liquid.
2.
to destroy the ability of (a person or animal) to reproduce by removing the sex organs or inhibiting their functions.
3.
to make (land) barren or unproductive.
4.
Informal. to delete or remove anything comprising or damaging from: to sterilize a government document before releasing it to the press.
5.
Informal. to isolate or completely protect from unwanted, unauthorized, or unwholesome activities, attitudes, influences, etc.: You can't sterilize children against violence.
Also, especially British, ster·i·lise.
Related forms
ster·i·liz·a·ble, adjective
ster·i·liz·a·bil·i·ty, noun
ster·i·liz·er, noun
pre·ster·i·lize, verb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing.
re·ster·i·lize, verb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Sterilizability
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
sterilize ster·il·ize (stěr'ə-līz')
v. ster·il·ized, ster·il·iz·ing, ster·il·iz·es
To make free from live bacteria or other microorganisms.
To deprive a person or an animal of the ability to produce offspring, as by removing the reproductive organs.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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