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.

---

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

---

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”; sepsis ( def. ) ) + -ikos -ic

Compare meaning

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

• septic vs. aseptic

Example Sentences

Trees have less dramatic ways to screw up your day: Their roots can infiltrate cracks in septic or sewage pipes, blocking the system and wreaking expensive, smelly havoc.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tougher controls over the spreading of sewage and septic tank sludge to land as fertiliser in farming are also proposed, as are limits on using digestate from anaerobic digestion plants.

From BBC

"When sepsis is not recognized early and managed promptly, it can lead to septic shock, multiple organ failure and death," Distinguished Professor von Itzstein said.

From Science Daily

She recorded a narrative conclusion, and said he died following a cardiac arrest due to septic shock.

From BBC

In 2018 she developed septic shock while receiving cancer treatment at the same hospital campus, which is now at the centre of a public inquiry into safety issues.

From BBC

Related Words

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