sterility

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /stɝˈɪlɪti/ See IPA manual

Freq #47196

Meanings

1

noun
The condition of being unable to produce children or offspring.

The disease can cause permanent sterility if it is left untreated.
2

noun
The state of being completely free of germs and bacteria.

Sterility of the instruments is essential before any surgery.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the condition of being... infertility

2 noun · the state of being... antisepsis

Word family

Forms sterilities

Etymology

From Middle English sterylite, sterylyte, from Latin sterilitās. By surface analysis, sterile + -ity.

sterylite,sterylyte Middle English sterilitās Latin

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Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# sterility

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /stɝˈɪlɪti/
**Frequency rank:** 47196

## Meanings
1. The condition of being unable to produce children or offspring.
2. The state of being completely free of germs and bacteria.

## Examples
- The disease can cause permanent sterility if it is left untreated.
- Sterility of the instruments is essential before any surgery.

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: sterylite,sterylyte
- Root: sterilitās

## Etymology
From Middle English sterylite, sterylyte, from Latin sterilitās. By surface analysis, sterile + -ity.

## AI Etymology
Sterility is from Middle English sterylite, sterylyte, from Latin sterilitās. By surface analysis, sterile + -ity. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern nominal form is built from the named base and affix. Important recorded forms include sterylite,sterylyte (Middle English) and sterilitās (Latin). Current senses include the condition of being unable to produce children or offspring and the state of being completely free of germs and bacteria.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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