septic
|sep-tic|
/ˈsɛptɪk/
causing or affected by rot/infection
Etymology
'septic' originates from Greek via Late Latin and French, specifically from the Greek word 'septikos' (σεπτικός), where 'sep-'/'sepein' meant 'to rot' or 'to putrefy'.
'septic' changed from Greek 'septikos' into Late Latin 'septicus' and entered English (via scientific/medical Latin and French influence) as 'septic' in the 17th century, becoming the modern English adjective 'septic'.
Initially, it meant 'causing putrefaction' or 'related to rotting'; over time it developed a specialized medical sense of 'relating to sepsis' and a technical sense related to sewage ('septic tank').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person or animal affected by sepsis; a septic patient or infected organism.
The hospital admitted several septics during the outbreak.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to or affected by sepsis; caused by or causing systemic infection (medical).
The patient developed septic shock after the infection.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
infected, putrefying, or producing pus; relating to putrefaction or suppuration.
The wound became septic and required surgical cleaning.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/11/05 14:54