Aseptic
/eɪˈsɛptɪk/noun
Free from infection or contamination by harmful microorganisms.
Did you know?Its core comes from Greek sēpsis, the same ancient root behind “septic,” meaning putrefaction or decay, so “aseptic” is basically the language of anti-corruption.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
sēpsis
“putrefaction, decay”
Ancient Greek
Greek
aseptos
“not putrefied, not rotten”
Late 19th Century
French
aseptique
“free from infection; preventing putrefaction”
Late 19th Century
English
aseptic
“free from contamination by disease-causing organisms”
Modern English
English
aseptic
“free from infection or contamination”
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