Meaning of septic in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈsɛptɪk/

   US accent

   How to pronounce septic in American English, in context ▾
   Use the controls below to browse different examples of pronunciation.

   UK accent

   How to pronounce septic in British English, in context ▾
   Use the controls below to browse different examples of pronunciation.

1. Qualitative Adjective

   septic

   Etymology

   early 17th century: via Latin from Greek sēptikos, from sēpein‘make rotten’

   Definitions

   1. containing or resulting from disease-causing organisms

   Examples

   • « a septic sore throat »
   • « a septic environment »
   • « septic sewage »

   Synonyms

   • abscessed
   • contaminated
   • dirty
   • infected
   • pestiferous
   • contaminative
   • infected
   • purulent
   • pussy
   • putrid
   • putrefactive
   • putrefacient
   • septicemic
   • infectious
   • infective

   Antonyms

   • antiseptic
2. 2. of or relating to or caused by putrefaction

   Examples

   • « the septic action occurs at the bottom of the septic tank »