disinfectant
pronunciation
How to pronounce disinfectant in British English:
UK [ˌdɪsɪnˈfektənt]
How to pronounce disinfectant in American English:
US [ˌdɪsɪnˈfɛktənt]
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- Noun:
- an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease
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- Adjective:
- preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms
Word Origin
- disinfectant (n.)
- 1837, from French désinfectant (1816), noun use of present participle of désinfecter (see disinfect). From 1875 as an adjective.
Synonym
Example
- 1. Then you could knock it out with a stronger disinfectant .
- 2. Sunlight , justice brandeis told us , is the best disinfectant .
- 3. Most aftershaves contain alcohol , which is a natural astringent and disinfectant .
- 4. The acetic acid in the vinegar is a good disinfectant , effective against such harmful bugs as e. coli , salmonella , and staphylococcus .
- 5. The soldiers , teenagers really , just like the americans I had met in iraq , stood at attention while being sprayed with disinfectant .