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.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Septic entered English in the early 17th century through Latin from Greek sēptikos, derived from sēpein, meaning “make rotten.”

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.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary