adjective
septic
Affected by or resulting from infection with harmful bacteria.
The wound is septic and needs prompt medical treatment.
Etymology
Greek sēptikos means putrefying. The medical adjective developed from decay to conditions caused by harmful infection.
More examples
- Doctors treat septic shock as a medical emergency.
- The surgeon removes septic tissue from the wound.
- A septic joint can become swollen and extremely painful.
Forms
septic
sepsis noun — Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by infection.
Similar words
- infected
- Also covers infections caused by viruses, fungi, or parasites.
- bacterial
- Identifies a bacterial connection without necessarily implying harmful infection.