See Also: septic(dictionary)
septic(medicine)
septic(dictionary)
septic wound(medicine)
shock, septic(medicine)
Bursitis, septic(health)
Septic arthritis(health)
Septic shock(health)
septic arthritis(encyclopedia)
septic tank(dictionary)

septic (iou)



septic adjective & noun. E17.
[Latin septicus from Greek septikos, from sepein make rotten: see -IC.]
A. adjective.
1. Of, pertaining to, or characterized by the destruction of tissue by pathogenic micro-organisms or their toxins; affected by sepsis; putrefying. E17.
2. transf. Unpleasant, nasty, rotten. slang. E20.
T. Mallon The author was..septic with resentment.
Special collocations: septic tank a tank (associated either with a sewage works or with a residence not connected to a sewer) in which the solid content of sewage is allowed to settle and accumulate and is purified by the action of anaerobic bacteria.
B. noun.
1. A septic or putrefactive substance. E17-L18.
2. ellipt. A septic tank. Austral. colloq. M20.
septicity noun the quality or condition of being septic E19.