septic

[sep-tik]

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

/ 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

• septically adverb
• septicity noun
• nonseptic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of septic¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of septic¹

C17: from Latin sēpticus, from Greek sēptikos, from sēptos decayed, from sēpein to make rotten

Example Sentences

And many homes in Berry Creek were on their own septic systems, which needed to be reconstructed to current codes, further driving up costs.

From Los Angeles Times

Her bathroom became a toilet she fastened on top of her septic tank outside and exposed for her neighbors to see — had any of them come back.

From Los Angeles Times

Nearly three months later, Agnes's body was discovered in a septic tank near the hotel.

From BBC

The science shows the pollution problem in Lough Neagh comes largely from agriculture, with some from wastewater processing, septic tank seepage and industrial pollution around the shores.

From BBC

She’s renovating the property to bring it up to seismic and ADA standards, harden it against wildfires and install a septic tank for a guest house.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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• deadly 
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• virulent