antiseptic

C1 Topic:Materials & Substances

US /ˌæn.tiˈsep.tɪk/ UK /ˌæn.tiˈsep.tɪk/ See IPA manual

Freq #29144

Meanings

1

noun
a substance applied to living tissue to prevent or slow the growth of harmful microorganisms

The nurse cleaned the cut with antiseptic before covering it.
2

adj
preventing infection by destroying or limiting microorganisms

The surgeon followed strict antiseptic procedures in the operating room.
3

adj
extremely clean but impersonal, bare, or lacking warmth

The office looked antiseptic under its bright white lights.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a substance applied to... disinfectantgermicide

2 adj · preventing infection by... disinfectantsterilizing

3 adj · extremely clean but... sterile clinical

More sterilizing agent

Opposites

contaminant infectious

Word family

Derived forms antisepticallyantisepticize

Related forms asepticsepticdisinfect

Etymology

Formed from anti-, 'against,' and septic, ultimately from Greek sēptikós, 'causing putrefaction,' from sḗpein, 'to make rotten.' The medical term arose for agents and practices intended to prevent putrefaction and infection.

Topics

Materials & Substances Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# antiseptic

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun, adj
**IPA (US):** /ˌæn.tiˈsep.tɪk/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌæn.tiˈsep.tɪk/
**Frequency rank:** 29144

## Meanings
1. a substance applied to living tissue to prevent or slow the growth of harmful microorganisms
2. preventing infection by destroying or limiting microorganisms
3. extremely clean but impersonal, bare, or lacking warmth

## Examples
- The nurse cleaned the cut with antiseptic before covering it.
- The surgeon followed strict antiseptic procedures in the operating room.
- The office looked antiseptic under its bright white lights.

## Synonyms
- disinfectant
- germicide
- sterilizing agent

## Antonyms
- contaminant
- infectious

## Derived Forms
- antiseptically
- antisepticize

## Related Forms
- aseptic
- septic
- disinfect

## Roots and Affixes
- Affix: anti- - against

## Etymology
Formed from anti-, 'against,' and septic, ultimately from Greek sēptikós, 'causing putrefaction,' from sḗpein, 'to make rotten.' The medical term arose for agents and practices intended to prevent putrefaction and infection.

## Topics
- Materials & Substances
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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