sterilize
/'sterilaiz/
Definition
- Verb:
- To make something completely free from living microorganisms, especially bacteria: This is the primary medical and scientific meaning, referring to the process of eliminating all forms of microbial life.
- To make an organism incapable of reproduction: This meaning refers to a surgical or medical procedure that renders a person or animal unable to produce offspring.
Usage
- The verb "sterilize" is transitive and requires a direct object (e.g., sterilize ).
- It is commonly used in medical, laboratory, and domestic hygiene contexts.
- The past tense and past participle form is "sterilized."
Examples
- Medical/Scientific Context:
- Hospitals use autoclaves to sterilize surgical instruments.
- Before canning, you must sterilize the jars to prevent food spoilage.
- Biological Context:
- The animal shelter has a policy to sterilize all adopted pets.
- In the past, some governments had programs to sterilize individuals against their will.
Advanced Usage
- "Sterilize against": This phrase can be used to specify the target of the sterilization process.
- This solution is effective to sterilize surfaces against a broad spectrum of pathogens.
- Figurative Use: In economics, "sterilize" can mean to neutralize the inflationary effect of foreign currency inflows by selling bonds.
- The central bank intervened to sterilize the impact of the capital influx on the money supply. (Note: This is a specialized financial term.)
Variants and Related Words
- Sterilization (n): The process or act of sterilizing.
- The sterilization of the equipment is complete.
- Sterile (adj): 1) Free from living germs; 2) Incapable of producing offspring; 3) (Figuratively) Lacking in originality or vitality.
- A sterile bandage.
- The hybrid plant is sterile.
- A sterile debate.
Synonyms
- Disinfect: To clean something using chemicals that destroy bacteria (but may not eliminate all microbial life like "sterilize" does).
- Sanitize: To make something clean and hygienic, often by reducing bacteria to a safe level.
- Decontaminate: To remove dangerous substances, including germs or chemicals.
- Neuter (for animals): To remove the reproductive organs of a male animal. (Castrate for males, spay for females are more specific).
Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases
- (To) sterilize out: This is not a standard phrasal verb. The verb "sterilize" is typically used directly without a particle in this sense.
Related Idioms
- There are no common idioms that use the verb "sterilize" in its core meanings. Its use is primarily technical and literal.
Verb
-
make infertile
-
in some countries, people with genetically transmissible disabilites are sterilized
-
-
make free from bacteria
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