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Antiseptic vs Sterilization - What's the difference?

antiseptic | sterilization |

As nouns the difference between antiseptic and sterilization

is that antiseptic is any substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. Generally includes only those that are used on living objects (as opposed to disinfectants) and aren't transported by the lymphatic system to destroy bacteria in the body (as opposed to antibiotics) while sterilization is the process of treating something to kill or inactivate microorganisms.

As an adjective antiseptic

is of, or relating to antisepsis, or the use of antiseptics.

antiseptic

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of, or relating to antisepsis, or the use of antiseptics.
  • Capable of preventing microbial infection.
  • Very clean; aseptic.
  • Free of unpleasantness; sanitized or bowdlerized.
  • * 2001 , John Allen, A Touch of Uncertainty
  • Forget all those Christmas cards with their ideal scenarios and antiseptic smiles. Stables are filthy and they stink

    Noun

    (wikipedia antiseptic) (en noun)
  • Any substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. Generally includes only those that are used on living objects (as opposed to disinfectants'') and aren't transported by the lymphatic system to destroy bacteria in the body (as opposed to ''antibiotics ).
  • See also

    * antibacterial * antibiotic

    Anagrams

    *

    sterilization

    English

    Alternative forms

    * sterilisation

    Noun

  • (uncountable) The process of treating something to kill or inactivate microorganisms.
  • Heat sterilization is used during canning so the food can be safely stored for long periods.
  • (uncountable) A procedure to permanently prevent an organism from reproducing.
  • Spaying a cat is a form of sterilization to limit the population growth.
  • (countable) an instance of a sterilization procedure
  • The vet performed several sterilizations this week.
  • (uncountable) A monetary policy operation used to offset a foreign exchange intervention.
  • The Federal Reserve is responsible for foreign exchange sterilization .

    See also

    * autoclave * sanitization