bactericidal

Causing the death of bacteria. Cf.:bacteriostatic. SYN: bacteriocidal.

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bac·te·ri·cid·al bak-.tir-ə-'sīd-əl also bac·te·ri·o·cid·al -.tir-ē-ə-'sīd- adj destroying bacteria

bac·te·ri·cid·al·ly -əl-ē adv

bac·te·ri·cide -'tir-ə-.sīd n

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adj.

being capable of killing bacteria. Substances with this property include antibiotics, antiseptics, and disinfectants; they are known as bactericides. Compare bacteriostatic.

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bac·te·ri·ci·dal (bak-tēr″ĭ-siґdəl) [bacteri- + L. caedere to kill] destructive to bacteria; cf. antibacterial.