ANTISEPTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does antiseptic mean? 

• ANTISEPTIC (noun)
  The noun ANTISEPTIC has 1 sense:

1. a substance that destroys micro-organisms that carry disease without harming body tissues

  Familiarity information: ANTISEPTIC used as a noun is very rare.

• ANTISEPTIC (adjective)
  The adjective ANTISEPTIC has 4 senses:

1. thoroughly clean and free of or destructive to disease-causing organisms

2. clean and honest

3. freeing from error or corruption

4. devoid of objectionable language

  Familiarity information: ANTISEPTIC used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ANTISEPTIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A substance that destroys micro-organisms that carry disease without harming body tissues

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("antiseptic" is a kind of...):

medicament; medication; medicinal drug; medicine ((medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "antiseptic"):

chloramine; chloramine-T (any of several compounds containing chlorine and nitrogen; used as an antiseptic in wounds)

chlorhexidine (a long-lasting liquid antiseptic; used by surgeons to wash their hands before performing surgery)

gramicidin (an antibiotic produced by a soil bacterium; used chiefly as an antiseptic in treating local infections produced by Gram-positive bacteria)

iodoform; triiodomethane (a yellowish crystalline solid with a penetrating odor; sometimes used as an antiseptic dressing)

merbromine; Mercurochrome (a mercurial compound applied topically as an antiseptic; Mercurochrome is the trademark)

Argyrol; mild silver protein (antiseptic consisting of a compound of protein and silver (trade name Argyrol))

fradicin; Neobiotic; neomycin (an antibiotic obtained from an actinomycete and used (as a sulphate under the trade name Neobiotic) as an intestinal antiseptic in surgery)

Merthiolate; sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate; thimerosal (a light-colored crystalline powder (trade name Merthiolate) used as a surgical antiseptic)

iodine; tincture of iodine (a tincture consisting of a solution of iodine in ethyl alcohol; applied topically to wounds as an antiseptic)

Derivation:

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

• ANTISEPTIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Thoroughly clean and free of or destructive to disease-causing organisms

Context example:

it is said that marjoram has antiseptic qualities

Similar:

aseptic; sterile (free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms)

bactericidal; disinfectant; germicidal (preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms)

cleansing; purifying (acting like an antiseptic)

nonpurulent (not containing pus)

clean; uninfected (free from sepsis or infection)

Also:

clean (free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits)

healthful (conducive to good health of body or mind)

germfree (free from germs or pathogenic organisms; sterile)

Antonym:

septic (containing or resulting from disease-causing organisms)

Derivation:

antisepsis ((of non-living objects) the state of being free of pathogenic organisms)

antiseptic (a substance that destroys micro-organisms that carry disease without harming body tissues)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Clean and honest

Context example:

antiseptic financial practices

Similar:

incorrupt (free of corruption or immorality)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Freeing from error or corruption

Context example:

the antiseptic effect of sturdy criticism

Similar:

purifying (freeing from noxious matter)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Devoid of objectionable language

Context example:

lyrics as antiseptic as Sunday School

Similar:

clean; unobjectionable ((of behavior or especially language) free from objectionable elements; fit for all observers)

 Context examples 

Hypericum oil has antiseptic and analgesic properties.

(Hypericum Oil, NCI Thesaurus)

Isopropanol is used in soaps and lotions as an antiseptic.

(Isopropyl Alcohol, NCI Thesaurus)

Topically, it is used as an antiseptic.

(Isopropyl Alcohol, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

A chemical used in bleaches, dyes, cleansers, antiseptics, and disinfectants.

(Hydrogen peroxide, NCI Dictionary)

Hops oil has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties and is also reported to have diuretic and sedative effect.

(Hops Oil, NCI Thesaurus)

I stood motionless, a roll of antiseptic cotton in my hand unwinding and spilling itself down to the floor.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Hexylresorcinol is used as an antiseptic in mouthwashes and skin wound cleansers.

(Hexylresorcinol, NCI Thesaurus)

Red cedarwood oil is used as an insect repellant, expectorant, antiseptic, and fungicide.

(Juniperus Virginiana Oil, NCI Thesaurus)

The lithium salt form of benzoic acid with diuretic and urinary antiseptic activity.

(Lithium Benzoate, NCI Thesaurus)

A synthetic quinolone and antibacterial agent with urinary tract antiseptic activity.

(Nalidixic Acid, NCI Thesaurus)