septic

 
Pronunciation: /ˈsɛptɪk/

adjective

  • 1(chiefly of a wound or a part of the body) infected with bacteria: his feet had gone septic
  • 2 [attributive] denoting a drainage system incorporating a septic tank.

noun

North American
  • a drainage system incorporating a septic tank.

Derivatives

septically

adverb

septicity

Pronunciation: /-ˈtɪsɪti/
noun

Origin:

early 17th century: via Latin from Greek sēptikos, from sēpein 'make rotten'

Do not confuse septic with sceptic. Septic means 'infected with bacteria' ( septic wounds), whereas sceptic means 'a person who questions accepted beliefs or statements' ( numerous sceptics poured scorn on his claim).