Main Entry: sep·ti·ce·mia

Variant(s): or chiefly British sep·ti·cae·mia \ˌsep-tə-ˈsē-mē-ə\

Function: noun

: invasion of the bloodstream by virulent microorganisms (as bacteria, viruses, or fungi) from a focus of infection that is accompanied by acute systemic illness—called also blood poisoning; see pyemia; compare sepsis

—sep·ti·ce·mic or chiefly British sep·ti·cae·mic \-ˈsē-mik\ adjective