non-sterilizing
|non-ster-i-liz-ing|
/nɒnˈstɛrɪlaɪzɪŋ/
(sterilize)
make free from microorganisms
Etymology
'non-sterilizing' originates from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and the word 'sterilizing' from 'sterilize', which comes from Latin 'sterilis', meaning 'barren'.
'sterilis' transformed into the French word 'stériliser', and eventually became the modern English word 'sterilize'.
Initially, 'sterilize' meant 'to make barren', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to make free from microorganisms'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not capable of completely eliminating all forms of life, especially microorganisms.
The vaccine is non-sterilizing, meaning it doesn't prevent infection entirely.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/03/01 13:32