n. a substance which kills or retards the growth of microorganisms, especially when used for protection against infection; a substance which prevents or retards putrefaction, or destroys, or protects from, putrefactive organisms; as, carbolic acid, alcohol, cinchona, and many other agents sold commercially. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Counteracting or preventing putrefaction, or a putrescent tendency in the system; antiputrefactive. [ 1913 Webster ]

Antiseptic surgery, that system of surgical practice which insists upon a systematic use of antiseptics in the performance of operations and the dressing of wounds. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By means of antiseptics. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. a- not + septic. ] 1. Not liable to putrefaction; nonputrescent. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. free from pathogenic microorganisms; sterile; as, aseptic operating conditions. [ PJC ]

3. [ metaphorical ] lacking emotion, human warmth, or excitement. [ PJC ]

n. An aseptic substance. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ L. septem seven. ] A combining form meaning seven; as, septifolious, seven-leaved; septi-lateral, seven-sided. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Septi- + -ic. ] (Math.) Of the seventh degree or order. -- n. (Alg.) A quantic of the seventh degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A substance that promotes putrefaction. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., from Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_; putrefactive + &unr_;&unr_;&unr_; blood. ] (Med.) A poisoned condition of the blood produced by the absorption into it of septic or putrescent material; blood poisoning. It is marked by chills, fever, prostration, and inflammation of the different serous membranes and of the lungs, kidneys, and other organs. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. septicus, Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;, fr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; to make putrid: cf. F. septique. ] Having power to promote putrefaction. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a septic manner; in a manner tending to promote putrefaction. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Septum + L. caedere to cut: cf. F. septicide. ] (Bot.) Dividing the partitions; -- said of a method of dehiscence in which a pod splits through the partitions and is divided into its component carpels. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Septic. ] Tendency to putrefaction; septic quality. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. septifariam sevenfold. Cf. Bifarious. ] (Bot.) Turned in seven different ways. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Septum + -ferous: cf. F. septifère. ] (Bot.) Bearing a partition; -- said of the valves of a capsule. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_; putrefied + -ferous. ] Conveying putrid poison; as, the virulence of septiferous matter. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ CF. Septemfluous. ] Flowing in seven streams; septemfluous. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Septi- + L. folium leaf. ] (Bot.) Having seven leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Septum + -form. ] Having the form of a septum. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Septum + L. frangere, fractum, to break. ] (Bot.) Breaking from the partitions; -- said of a method of dehiscence in which the valves of a pod break away from the partitions, and these remain attached to the common axis. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Septi- + lateral. ] Having seven sides; as, a septilateral figure. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. septilion, formed fr. L. septem seven, in imitation of million. ] According to the French method of numeration (which is followed also in the United States), the number expressed by a unit with twenty-four ciphers annexed. According to the English method, the number expressed by a unit with forty-two ciphers annexed. See Numeration. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. septem seven. ] (Mus.) A group of seven notes to be played in the time of four or six. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Septi- + insular. ] Consisting of seven islands; as, the septinsular republic of the Ionian Isles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Septi- + syllable. ] A word of seven syllables. [ 1913 Webster ]