septic

American  

[sep-tik] / ˈsɛp tɪk /

adjective

1. Pathology.

   1. relating to, caused by, or affected by sepsis or infection.

      Adequate and prompt antibiotic therapy is essential for a septic patient.

      She was admitted to the hospital with septic shock.

   2. causing sepsis or infection.

      If care is not taken, there is the potential for introducing septic agents through injection.

2. relating to or designed for the treatment of sewage by anaerobic bacteria.

   The rural property, just shy of three acres, is on a private well and septic system.

   Contamination of the bay may be a result of insufficient septic drainfields or faulty sewer lines or pumping stations.

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noun

Informal.

1. a septic tank or septic system.

   They were able to get to my house the next day, drain the septic, and fix the sump pump.

   Here’s what to do if your septic is leaking.

septic British  

/ sɛpˈtɪsɪtɪ, ˈsɛptɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or caused by sepsis

2. of, relating to, or caused by putrefaction

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noun

1. informal short for septic tank

Other Word Forms

• nonseptic
  adjective
• septically
  adverb
• septicity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of septic

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin sēpticus, from Greek sēptikós, from sēpt(ós) “rotted” (from sḗpein “to make rotten”; cf. sepsis ( def. )) + -ikos -ic

Compare meaning

How does septic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• septic vs. aseptic

Explanation

Septic is connected to dangerous waste products. If your house is not connected to your town or city's sewer, your waste from drains and toilets goes into a septic tank. Derived from a Greek word meaning "rotten," septic can indicate that something is infected. When a hospital patient goes into "septic shock," it means that their body, wracked by an infection, is starting to fail. People in septic shock are victims of a condition called sepsis.

Example Sentences

Septic abortion wards – or designated areas of hospitals where women were treated for sepsis as a result of illegal abortions – were common.

From Salon • Jun. 22, 2023

Septic systems are cheaper and can capture most of the nitrogen, yet they are less effective at preventing pathogens from entering the environment.

From Scientific American • Nov. 12, 2021

Septic waste seeps into the soil and contaminates groundwater with nitrates.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2021

Septic System Septic tank system for sewage treatment.

From Textbooks • Sep. 6, 2018

Septic infection may affect the inner coat and ultimately involve all three, or it may be the result of an inflammation in the vicinity of the vessels, etc.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.

Related Words

• dangerous
• deadly
• destructive
• fatal
• lethal
• noxious
• pernicious
• toxic
• venomous
• vicious
• virulent