sepsi-, sep-, septi-, septico-, septo-, -sepsis, -septic, -septicemia, -septicemic

A system that is used to stop the spread of as many germs as possible which can cause infections: An antisepsis is the use of chemicals to destroy germs that are on the body or in a wound.

The sign over the sink in the restaurant cautioned all workers to wash their hands thoroughly as an antisepsis against the spread of disease.

1. An agent that reduces or prevents contamination; especially, by eliminating or reducing the growth of microorganisms that cause scourge or decay: Antiseptics prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms without damaging living tissues.
2. A substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of any disease-causing microorganisms; free of contamination or pollution: Health specialists say that the best antiseptic against illnesses and infection is a thorough hand washing with soap and warm water for at least 30 seconds; especially, whenever one is exposed to things handled by other people; such as, shopping carts or baskets.

One researcher said that people would be safer if they use a disinfectant or an antiseptic to wite the handle of the shopping cart just before they use it.

Researchers say they actually found more fecal bacteria on grocery cart handles than those that are normally found in some bathrooms, primarily because many bathrooms are disinfected more often than an antiseptic is used on the shopping cart handles.

1. A reference to chemicals that are used to prevent the growth of illness-causing microorganisms without damaging living tissues: Antiseptic procedures are used externally to treat infected wounds.
2. Free of disturbing or unpleasant features; sanitized: The historian wrote a revised antiseptic version of the history of Roman times.

1. A condition in which living pathogenic organisms are not present; a state of sterility: Dr. Robinson treated Kirk's wound with an antiseptic so the asepsis would exist there.
2. Free from microorganisms that produce disease, fermentation, or putrefaction: A minimal procedure to ensure one's hands are asepsis is to not only carefully wash them with soap and water, but also to use special alcoholic antiseptics.

1. Free from infection or harmful bacteria; sterile: The medical staff did everything possible to prepare an aseptic condition for Jim's daughter before the surgery took place.
2. The absence of harmful microorganisms: Hospitals are expected to make every effort to keep operating rooms aseptic so patients won’t be contaminated with infectious germs during an operation. © ALL rights are reserved.

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1. Free from living germs of disease, fermentation, or putrefaction; sterile: The fermentation barrels were kept in a state of asepticism in order to maintain the high quality and safety of the wine.
2. Designed to prevent infection from pathogenic microorganisms: Ted, the health practitioner, taught the homeless people some basic lessons in asepticism in order to help them maintain better health.
3. Free of pathogenic microbes: An asepticism of surgical instruments and environment is always a major objective of hospitals.
4. Using methods to protect against infection by pathogenic microorganisms: Dr. Payne insists on preparing a condition of asepticism for patients before any surgical procedures take place.
5. Lacking animation or emotion: Jim's facial asepticism was difficult to maintain all the time while the seals were performing at the aquarium.

1. A product; such as, milk or fruit juice, that is sold in sanitized packages or containers: Jane's grocery list suggested that she should purchase three aseptics; so, she bought milk, a bottle of juice, and a jar of jam.
2. A system of packaging sterilized products in airtight containers so that freshness is preserved for several months: The packaging industry was always looking for ways to increase aseptics in their productions.

1. Any procedure that reduces to a significant degree the microbial flora of skin or mucous membranes: Sarah uses a hand sanitizer as an autoantisepsis after she has been riding the subway as a way to control any infectious bacteria that she may have come in contact with.
2. The prevention of a severe illness caused by an overwhelming poisoning of the bloodstream by toxin-producing bacteria: Mark takes his vitamins on a daily basis to support his natural autoantisepsis which helps him to stay healthy.

1. A blood infection originating with microorganisms existing within the individual and not introduced from outside that person's body: Nancy attends the health clinic on a weekly basis to monitor her autosepticemia and to initiate treatment when necessary.
2. A sickness arising from germs within the body; also "endosepsis": The doctor was treating the autosepticemia in Zara’s blood with antibiotics.

Blood poison that occurs during an intravenous insertion of a tube to carry fluids into or out of the body: The sterilization unit of the hospital emphasizes procedures to avoid any catheter sepsis which could be caused by their medical instruments.

Procedures aimed at avoiding the contamination of previously disinfected objects, substances, and medical staff: A complete asepsis involves the sterilization of an entire operating theater, including the circulating air, the drapes, gloves, instruments, and medical equipment; and, as far as practicable, the medical personnel.

Gangrene of brain tissue: It was a difficult task for the brain surgeon to explain to Mrs. Jones that her husband was suffering from an encephalosepsis.

Blood impurity originating within an organism: The doctors were at a loss to explain the endosepsis of the patient that they thought was recovering well from surgery.

A condition in which bacteria in the intestines, or the alimentary canal, putrefy and spread pollutions to the bloodstream: The medical laboratory found that Burton's enterosepsis spread bacterial poisons which were circulating in his blood and into other parts of his body.

Poisoning of the blood which does not originate within the organism: The exosepsis that Karl had may have came from his exposure to another patient who was in his hospital room.