Nearby Words

sterilizing

[ster-uh-lahyz]

ster·i·lize

[ster-uh-lahyz]
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.


Origin:
1685–95; sterile + -ize

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.
EXPAND
self-ster·i·lized, adjective
un·ster·i·lized, adjective
COLLAPSE

impotence, sterility, sterilized.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Sterilizing is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

sterilize ster·il·ize (stěr'ə-līz')
v. ster·il·ized, ster·il·iz·ing, ster·il·iz·es

  1. To make free from live bacteria or other microorganisms.

  2. 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.
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