antibacterial

Meanings

1. Killing or inhibiting bacteria.
2. Opposing the theory that diseases are caused by bacteria.

1. A drug having the effect of killing or inhibiting bacteria.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂énts Proto-Indo-European *-i Proto-Indo-European *h₂éntider. Ancient Greek ᾰ̓ντῐ́ (ăntĭ́) Ancient Greek ἀντι- (anti-)der. English anti- Ancient Greek βᾰκτηρῐ́ᾱ (băktērĭ́ā) Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Ancient Greek -ῐος (-ĭos)? Ancient Greek -ῐον (-ĭon) Ancient Greek βακτήριον (baktḗrion)bor. New Latin bactēriabor. English bacteria Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English bacterial English antibacterial From anti- + bacterial.