Aseptic is a term that is commonly used in the medical field. It is a term that refers to the process of sterilization or the practice of preventing contamination. Aseptic techniques are widely used in hospitals, laboratories, and other healthcare settings to prevent the spread of infection.
Definitions
Aseptic is defined as the process of preventing infection or contamination by using sterile techniques. It is also used to describe a condition that is free from infection or contamination.
Origin
The word aseptic comes from the Greek words “a-” which means “not” and “septikos” which means “putrid”. The term was first used in the late 19th century by Joseph Lister, a British surgeon who is considered the father of modern antiseptic surgery.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, aseptic means “free from the living germs of disease, fermentation, or putrefaction”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines aseptic as “free from contamination by harmful microorganisms”.
Associations
Aseptic is often associated with medical procedures, such as surgeries and injections, where the risk of infection is high. It is also associated with food production and packaging, where the goal is to prevent contamination and spoilage.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of aseptic include sterile, clean, pure, uncontaminated, and antiseptic.
Antonyms
Antonyms of aseptic include contaminated, infected, dirty, and germ-ridden.
The same root words
Other words that have the same root words as aseptic include antiseptic, septic, and sepsis.
Example Sentences
- The surgeon used aseptic techniques to prevent infection during the surgery.
- The laboratory technician wore gloves and used aseptic techniques to prevent contamination of the samples.
- The food packaging plant uses aseptic processing to ensure the products are free from bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.