septic vs. aseptic

septic

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.

aseptic

adjective

  1. free from the living germs of disease, fermentation, or putrefaction.

noun

  1. a product, as milk or fruit juice, that is marketed in an aseptic package or container.

  2. (used with a singular verb),  aseptics, a system of packaging sterilized products in airtight containers so that freshness is preserved for several months.