Library / English Dictionary

DISINFECT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Destroy microorganisms or pathogens by cleansing

Example:

disinfect a wound

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "disinfect" is one way to...):

clean; make clean (make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "disinfect"):

sterilise; sterilize (make free from bacteria)

antisepticize (disinfect with an antiseptic)

chlorinate (disinfect with chlorine)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Antonym:

infect (contaminate with a disease or microorganism)

Derivation:

disinfectant (an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease)

disinfectant (preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms)

disinfection (treatment to destroy harmful microorganisms)

Credits