gnotobiotic

adjective

gno·​to·​bi·​ot·​ic ˌnō-tō-bī-ˈä-tik How to pronounce gnotobiotic (audio) -bē- How to pronounce gnotobiotic (audio)
: of, relating to, living in, or being a controlled environment containing one or a few kinds of organisms
also : axenic
gnotobiotically adverb

Word History

Etymology

Greek gnōtos known (from gignōskein to know) + biotē life, way of life — more at know, biota

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gnotobiotic was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near gnotobiotic

Cite this Entry

“Gnotobiotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gnotobiotic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

gnotobiotic

adjective
gno·​to·​bi·​ot·​ic ˌnō-tə-(ˌ)bī-ˈät-ik How to pronounce gnotobiotic (audio) -bē- How to pronounce gnotobiotic (audio)
: of, relating to, living in, or being a controlled environment containing one or a few kinds of organisms
also : free from other living organisms : axenic
gnotobiotic mice
gnotobiote noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!