antisepticist
|an-ti-sep-ti-cist|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈsɛp.tɪ.sɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tɪˈsɛp.tɪ.sɪst/
advocate or practitioner of antiseptic methods
Etymology
'antisepticist' originates from English, specifically formed from the word 'antiseptic' plus the agent-forming suffix '-ist', where 'antiseptic' comes from Greek 'antiseptikos' (from 'anti-' meaning 'against' and 'septikos' related to 'sepsis', meaning 'putrefaction' or 'decay'), and '-ist' denotes 'one who practices or is concerned with'.
'antisepticist' was coined in English in the 19th century during discussions of surgical practice; 'antiseptic' itself was borrowed into English via Latin and French from Greek 'antiseptikos', and the addition of '-ist' formed a noun meaning an adherent or practitioner of that method.
Initially 'antiseptic' meant 'preventing putrefaction' (literally 'against putrefaction'), but over time 'antisepticist' came to mean specifically 'a person who uses or advocates antiseptic techniques' in medical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who advocates, practices, or supports antiseptic methods (especially in medicine and surgery) — one who promotes the use of antiseptics to prevent infection.
The antisepticist argued for routine carbolic applications in the operating theatre.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
historically, a member of the 19th-century movement favoring antiseptic surgical techniques (often contrasted with other contemporary approaches).
During debates on surgical practice, an antisepticist often clashed with rivals favoring different techniques.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/09 22:00