MEANING
Affected by infection involving harmful microorganisms, especially in a wound or clinical context.
Use it for
An infected injury; worsening danger after an escape; clinical recognition of serious illnessUse with a concrete clinical referent rather than labeling all decay septic.
Words that belong together
- septic wound
- septic patient
- septic complications
On the page
The untreated cut had become septic.
They transferred the septic patient to intensive care.
Her fever made the surgeon worry about septic complications.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- septic
Usage notes
Primary category: horror. In medicine, a septic patient may have sepsis; a septic wound does not automatically establish systemic sepsis. Do not confuse with antiseptic. Adjective; normally non-gradable; use the base form rather than mechanical -er/-est forms. Derived/related family (not inflections): sepsis (related noun).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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