septic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   infected with harmful microorganisms, or relating to sepsis

   The untreated wound became septic and required urgent medical care.

2. 2
   adj

   relating to the treatment or disposal of sewage in a septic tank or system

   The rural house relies on a septic system rather than a municipal sewer.

From Ancient Greek sēptikós ("causing putrefaction"), from sḗpein ("to make rotten"). Medical use came to denote infection and sepsis; the sewage sense developed through septic tanks, where waste decomposes through bacterial action.

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