antiseptic define
Antiseptic(s) (from Greek ἀντί anti, against and σηπτικός sēptikos, putrefactive) are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. For practical purposes, antiseptics are routinely thought of as topical agents, for application to skin, mucous membranes, and inanimate objects, although a formal definition includes agents which are used internally, such as the urinary tract antiseptics. Purpose. Antiseptics are generally distinguished from antibiotics by the latter's ability to be transported through the lymphatic system to destroy bacteria within the body, and from disinfectants, which destroy microorganisms found on non-living objects. Argyrol, mild silver protein - antiseptic consisting of a compound of protein and silver (trade name Argyrol) fradicin, Neobiotic, neomycin - an antibiotic obtained from an actinomycete and used (as a sulphate under the trade name Neobiotic) as an intestinal antiseptic in surgery. Definition. 1  An antiseptic is a substance which inhibits the growth and development of microorganisms. 2  Antiseptics are a diverse class of drugs which are applied to skin surfaces or mucous membranes for their anti-infective effects. › a chemical used for preventing infection in an injury, especially by killing bacteria: Antiseptic is used to sterilize the skin before giving an injection. Many of the ingredients for antiseptics come from the rainforests. Thesaurus: synonyms and related words. Medicines & drugs: preventing infection. antibacterial. Getting off the elevator at the fourth floor, he thumped across the antiseptic hallway. Football Great Bob Suffridge Wanders Through the End Zone of Life Paul Hemphill September 5, 2014. Before antibiotics, most newborn eyes were treated with an antiseptic, and Barnes pushed Argyrol as the cure of choice. Contemporary Examples. 1  The debates certainly would never have been this hermetically sealed and antiseptic. 2  Getting off the elevator at the fourth floor, he thumped across the antiseptic hallway. 3  Before antibiotics, most newborn eyes were treated with an antiseptic, and Barnes pushed Argyrol as the cure of choice. gramicidin - an antibiotic produced by a soil bacterium; used chiefly as an antiseptic in treating local infections produced by Gram-positive bacteria. triiodomethane, iodoform - a yellowish crystalline solid with a penetrating odor; sometimes used as an antiseptic dressing. medicament, medication, medicinal drug, medicine - (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease. The widespread introduction of antiseptic surgical methods followed the publishing of the paper Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery in 1867 by Joseph Lister, inspired by Louis Pasteur's germ theory of putrefaction.
It is antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction.