septic /sepˈtik/ adjective- Affected by bacteria from a diseased wound, putrefying
- Caused by such bacteria
ORIGIN: Gr sēptikos, from sēpein to putrefy septicaemia /sep-ti-sēˈmi-ə/ noun (Gr haima blood) the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the blood septicaeˈmic adjective sepˈtically adverb septicity /-tisˈi-ti/ noun septic shock noun A severe drop in blood pressure caused by infection septic tank noun A tank, usu below ground, in which sewage is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria |