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Definition

adjective

Refers to a substance (or a condition) capable of killing bacteria.

Supplement

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: bactericide (noun), bactericidally (adverb)
Related phrases: bactericidal antibiotics, bactericidal disinfectants.

Compare: bacteriostatic.
See also: bacteria, infection.