septic

[ sep-tik ]

adjective

1. Pathology.
   1. relating to, caused by, or affected by sepsis or infection:

      Adequate and prompt antibiotic therapy is essential for a septic patient.

      She was admitted to the hospital with septic shock.

   2. causing sepsis or infection:

      If care is not taken, there is the potential for introducing septic agents through injection.

2. relating to or designed for the treatment of sewage by anaerobic bacteria:

   The rural property, just shy of three acres, is on a private well and septic system.

   Contamination of the bay may be a result of insufficient septic drainfields or faulty sewer lines or pumping stations.

noun

, Informal.

1. a septic tank or septic system:

   They were able to get to my house the next day, drain the septic, and fix the sump pump.

   Here’s what to do if your septic is leaking.

septic

/ sɛpˈtɪsɪtɪ; ˈsɛptɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or caused by sepsis
2. of, relating to, or caused by putrefaction

noun

1. informal.
   short for septic tank

Derived Forms

• septicity, noun
• ˈseptically, adverb

Other Words From

• sep·ti·cal·ly adverb
• sep·tic·i·ty [sep-, tis, -i-tee], noun
• non·sep·tic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of septic¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin sēpticus, from Greek sēptikós, from sēpt(ós) “rotted” (from sḗpein “to make rotten”; sepsis ( def ) ) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of septic¹

C17: from Latin sēpticus, from Greek sēptikos, from sēptos decayed, from sēpein to make rotten

Example Sentences

Her death certificate, seen by the BBC, lists multiple organ failure, septic shock and pancreatitis as the immediate cause of death – but "the use of prescribed tirzepatide" is also recorded as a contributing factor.

From BBC

As a result, she went into septic shock.

From Los Angeles Times

He insisted he had the right to maintain his own septic system, scoffing at a regulation that it be done by an approved firm.

From Los Angeles Times

For a septic abortion, that would include removing any remaining tissue from the uterus.

From Salon

At hospital, Mia was given intravenous fluids and antibiotics but went into suspected septic shock and suffered a cardiac arrest.

From BBC

Related Words

• dangerous
• deadly
• destructive
• fatal
• lethal
• noxious
• pernicious
• toxic
• venomous
• vicious
• virulent