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

The certificate, first reported by TMZ, listed septic shock, decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis as underlying causes.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Many districts are already on a waiting list for the funds, with $3.4 billion approved for projects to repair hazardous mold, leaky roofs and septic systems, as well as to build classrooms, modernize science labs and replace aging buildings.

From Los Angeles Times

You might be against abortion but rights to IVF and, uh, not dying of septic shock seem pretty widely shared among people who are paying attention.

From Slate

Many noted a striking similarity to the case of Savita Halappavanar, a 31-year-old woman who died of septic shock in 2012 after providers in Ireland refused to empty her uterus while she was miscarrying at 17 weeks.

From Salon

Related Words

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