Antiseptic

Antiseptic
Something that discourages the growth microorganisms. By contrast, aseptic refers to the absence of microorganisms.
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1. Relating to antisepsis. 2. An agent or substance capable of effecting antisepsis.

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an·ti·sep·tic .ant-ə-'sep-tik adj
1 a) opposing sepsis, putrefaction, or decay esp 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) free of living microorganisms: scrupulously clean: ASEPTIC
an·ti·sep·ti·cal·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē adv
antiseptic n a substance (as hydrogen peroxide) that checks the growth or action of microorganisms esp. in or on living tissue also GERMICIDE

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n.
a chemical that destroys or inhibits the growth of disease-causing bacteria and other microorganisms and is sufficiently nontoxic to be applied to the skin or mucous membranes to cleanse wounds and prevent infections or to be used internally to treat infections of the intestine and bladder. Examples are cetrimide, chlorhexidine, dequalinium, and methenamine.

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an·ti·sep·tic (an″tĭ-sepґtik) 1. pertaining to antisepsis. 2. preventing decay or putrefaction. 3. a substance that inhibits the growth and development of microorganisms without necessarily killing them. Cf. disinfectant.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • antiseptic — adj germicidal, bactericidal, disinfectant (see under ANTISEPTIC n) antiseptic n Antiseptic, germicide, bactericide, disinfectant all denote an agent that interferes with the growth and activity of microorganisms. An antiseptic is an agent that… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • antiseptic — ANTISÉPTIC, Ă, antiseptici, ce, adj., s.n. (Medicament) care previne sau înlătură infecţiile microbiene sau care împiedică putrefacţia. – Din fr. antiseptique. Trimis de ana zecheru, 29.02.2004. Sursa: DEX 98  antiséptic adj. → septic Trimis de… …   Dicționar Român

  • Antiseptic — An ti*sep tic, Antiseptical An ti*sep tic*al, a. Counteracting or preventing putrefaction, or a putrescent tendency in the system; antiputrefactive. [1913 Webster] {Antiseptic surgery}, that system of surgical practice which insists upon a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • antiseptic — (adj.) 1750, coined from ANTI (Cf. anti ) against + SEPTIC (Cf. septic). Figurative use by 1820. As a noun meaning an antiseptic substance by 1803 …   Etymology dictionary

  • antiseptic — [adj] completely clean, uncontami nated; decontaminating antibacterial, antibiotic, aseptic, bactericidal, clean, disinfectant, germdestroying, germ free, germicidal, hygienic, medicated, prophylactic, pure, purifying, sanitary, sterile,… …   New thesaurus

  • antiseptic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) preventing the growth of micro organisms that cause disease or infection. 2) so clean or pure as to lack character. ► NOUN ▪ an antiseptic compound or preparation …   English terms dictionary

  • antiseptic — [an΄tə sep′tik] adj. 1. preventing infection, decay, etc. by inhibiting the action of microorganisms 2. using antiseptics 3. free from infection or infectious agents; sterile 4. very clean or tidy 5. untouched by life, its problems, emotions, etc …   English World dictionary

  • Antiseptic — An ti*sep tic, n. a substance which kills or retards the growth of microorganisms, especially when used for protection against infection; a substance which prevents or retards putrefaction, or destroys, or protects from, putrefactive organisms;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • antiseptic — index preventive Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Antiseptic — Antiseptics (from Greek αντί anti , against + σηπτικός septikos , putrefactive ) are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. They should generally be… …   Wikipedia

  • antiseptic — an|ti|sep|tic1 [ˌæntıˈseptık] n [U and C] a medicine that you put onto a wound to stop it from becoming infected ▪ He dabbed the cut with antiseptic. ▪ Mint is a mild antiseptic. antiseptic 2 antiseptic2 adj helping to prevent infection ▪ an… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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