antisepsis

noun

an·​ti·​sep·​sis ˌan-tə-ˈsep-səs How to pronounce antisepsis (audio)
: the inhibiting of the growth and multiplication of microorganisms by antiseptic means

Examples of antisepsis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There have been four great advances in medicine over the past 200 years: anesthesia, antisepsis, antibiotics, and immunization. Gary Simon, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2023 Yet before the advent of the three A’s (anesthesia, antisepsis, and antibiotics), a surgeon had to deal with a patient as a sentient being rather than an inert object. Will Self, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022 Then Lister invented antisepsis—a technique involving carbolic acid that stopped surgical patients from getting life-threatening infections. Matt Beane, Wired, 8 June 2020 Lister and his disciples mostly developed and spread antisepsis through benign breaches of expectation—applying an untested acidic poultice here, treating an otherwise terminal patient without informing them there. Matt Beane, Wired, 8 June 2020 In a new biography of Lister, Lindsey Fitzharris argues that the invention of antisepsis marks the true beginning of modern surgery. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2017 Lister went on the road, traveling Europe to push his gospel of antisepsis. John J. Ross, WSJ, 13 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antisepsis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

anti- + sepsis, after antiseptic entry 1

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antisepsis was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near antisepsis

Cite this Entry

“Antisepsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antisepsis. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

antisepsis

noun
an·​ti·​sep·​sis ˌant-ə-ˈsep-səs How to pronounce antisepsis (audio)
plural antisepses -ˌsēz How to pronounce antisepsis (audio)
: the inhibiting of the growth and multiplication of microorganisms by antiseptic means
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