Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Definition

noun, plural: bactericides

A substance or agent capable of killing bacteria.

Supplement

Examples of bactericides are disinfectants, antiseptics and antibiotics.

Word origin: G.bakterion, little staff + late ME < L -cīda killer, -cīdium act of killing, derivatives of caedere to cut down, kill (in compounds -cīdere) .

Related forms: bactericidal (adjective), bactericidally (adverb).

Synonym: bacteriocide.
Compare: bacteriostat.
See also: bacteria, infection.