Septicemia
/ˌsɛptɪˈsiːmiə/noun
A serious bloodstream infection caused by harmful microorganisms and their toxins.
Did you know?Septicemia was coined from Greek roots tied to decay and blood, and its medical history reflects how ancient ideas of corruption and poisoning shaped the language of infection.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
sēptikos
“causing decay or putrefaction”
Ancient Greek
Greek
sēpsis
“rotting, putrefaction”
Late 19th Century
English
septicemia
“a condition of infected blood”
Modern English
English
septicemia
“a severe bloodstream infection”
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