| 释义 |
an·ti·sep·tic
I. \| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|septik, -ēk\ adjective
Etymology: anti- (I) + Greek sēptikos putrefying — more at septic
1.
a. : opposing sepsis, putrefaction, or decay : having the properties of an antiseptic : preventing or arresting the growth or action of microorganisms especially on or in living tissue — compare disinfectant
b. : acting like an antiseptic : cleansing, purifying
< the antiseptic effect of sturdy criticism — New Republic >
also : bracing
< smelling the crisp antiseptic air — Berton Roueché >
c. : giving protection from what is contaminating
< new settlements a safe number of antiseptic miles from Johannesburg's whites — Time >
2. : relating to or characterized by the use of antiseptics
< antiseptic treatment >
— compare aseptic
3.
a. : free from living microorganisms : characterized by scrupulous cleanliness, sterilization, exclusion of bacteria : aseptic
< a technician in an antiseptic white jacket — Monsanto Magazine >
b.
(1) : suggestive of a hospital or operating room (as in cleanliness or orderliness)
< abstract art's antiseptic charm — Lewis Mumford >
< the antiseptic world of interstellar mathematics — Time >
(2) : excessively neat, well-ordered, or severe
< the room itself was bare, almost antiseptic — Nicholas Blake >
(3) : lacking warmth or vitality
< a conception that was much too meek and antiseptic — Joseph Katz >
(4) : dull, vapid, unimaginative
< main building of antiseptic institutional Georgian — Nathaniel Burt >
c. : free or protected from what is contaminating
< lyrics that were antiseptic as Sunday school — Saturday Review >
< two romances of a lively but antiseptic nature — Wolcott Gibbs >
d. : marked by objectivity or detachment; especially : coldly impersonal
< gave the score an antiseptic reading — Horst Koegler >
• an·ti·sep·ti·cal·ly \-tə̇k(ə)lē, -ēk-, -li\ adverb
II. noun
(-s)
: a substance that opposes sepsis, putrefaction, or decay : one that prevents or arrests the growth or action of microorganisms either by inhibiting their activity or by destroying them — used especially of agents applied to living tissue; compare disinfectant, germicide |