Library / English Dictionary

SEPTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Containing or resulting from disease-causing organisms

Example:

septic sewage

Synonyms:

infected; septic

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

abscessed (infected and filled with pus)

dirty; pestiferous (contaminated with infecting organisms)

contaminative (making impure by contact or mixing)

purulent; pussy (containing pus)

infectious; infective (caused by infection or capable of causing infection)

putrefacient; putrefactive (causing or promoting bacterial putrefaction)

septicemic (characteristic of septicemia)

Also:

unhealthful (detrimental to good health)

germy (full of germs or pathological microorganisms)

Antonym:

antiseptic (thoroughly clean and free of or destructive to disease-causing organisms)

Derivation:

sepsis (the presence of pus-forming bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or relating to or caused by putrefaction

Example:

the septic action occurs at the bottom of the septic tank

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

decomposition ((biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action)

Derivation:

sepsis (the presence of pus-forming bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues)

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