sterile

2 entries found for sterile.
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sterile self-sterile

Main Entry: ster·ile
Pronunciation: 'ster-&l, chiefly British -"I(-&)l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English steryle, from Latin sterilis; akin to Gothic stairo barren animal, Sanskrit starI sterile cow
1 a : failing to bear or incapable of producing fruit or spores b : failing to produce or incapable of producing offspring <a sterile hybrid> c : incapable of germinating <sterile spores> d of a flower : neither perfect nor pistillate
2 a : unproductive of vegetation <a sterile arid region> b : free from living organisms and especially microorganisms <a sterile syringe> c : lacking in stimulating emotional or intellectual quality : LIFELESS <a sterile work of art>
- ster·ile·ly /-&(l)-lE/ adverb
- ste·ril·i·ty /st&-'ri-l&-tE/ noun