unsterileadj.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈstɛrʌɪl/, U.S. /ˌənˈstɛrəl/ Not sterile; esp. not free from microorganisms. Cf. sterile adj. 7.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > pollution or defilement > [adjective] > polluted with germs or disease
infecta1382
infected1534
zymotic1881
germy1884
unsterile1892
1892 Proc. Royal Soc. 51 211 Bolton, however, made no experiments with unsterile water.
1953 R. Lehmann Echoing Grove 29 But still the stones seemed rocked, the unsterile mounds, reimpregnated, exhaled dust's fever; a breath, impure, of earthbound anguish.
1977 Lancet 26 Mar. 688/1 Unsterile cystoscopes have been in use for years.
2008 Guardian (Nexis) 7 June (Internat. section) 26 Bottle-feeding protects completely against transmission but unsterile equipment and unsafe water kill babies.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2018; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1892