First Known Use: 1751
Dictionary
1antiseptic
adjective an·ti·sep·tic \ˌan-tə-ˈsep-tik\
Definition of ANTISEPTIC
1
a : opposing sepsis, putrefaction, or decay; especially : preventing or arresting the growth of microorganisms (as on living tissue) b : acting or protecting like an antiseptic
2
: relating to or characterized by the use of antiseptics
3
a : scrupulously clean : aseptic b : extremely neat or orderly; especially : neat to the point of being bare or uninteresting c : free from what is held to be contaminating
4
a : coldly impersonal <an antiseptic greeting> b : of, relating to, or being warfare conducted with cold precision from a safe distance with few or no casualties on one's side <antiseptic bombings>
— an·ti·sep·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Origin of ANTISEPTIC
anti- + Greek sēptikos putrefying, septic
Related to ANTISEPTIC
- Synonyms
- neat, bandbox, crisp, groomed, kempt, orderly, picked up, prim, shipshape, smug, snug, tidied, tidy, trig, trim, uncluttered, well-groomed
- Antonyms
- disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, messy, mussed, mussy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy
Other Pharmacology Terms
Rhymes with ANTISEPTIC
2antiseptic
noun
: a substance that prevents infection in a wound by killing bacteria
Full Definition of ANTISEPTIC
: a substance that inhibits the growth or action of microorganisms especially in or on living tissue; also : germicide
See antiseptic defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ANTISEPTIC
1751
ANTISEPTICS Defined for Kids
1antiseptic
adjective an·ti·sep·tic \ˌan-tə-ˈsep-tik\
Definition of ANTISEPTIC for Kids
: killing or preventing the growth or action of germs that cause decay or sickness <Iodine is antiseptic.>
2antiseptic
noun
Definition of ANTISEPTIC for Kids
: a substance that helps stop the growth or action of germs
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