antibiotic — a medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms, especially bacteria
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms, especially bacteria
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌæntɪbaɪˈɑːtɪk/
Example Sentences
- Mom always says 'Finish your antibiotics!' like they're vegetables on my plate.
- The discovery of antibiotics revolutionized modern medicine and saved millions of lives.
- Misusing antibiotics is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut - overkill and potentially harmful.
antibiotic
NOUN[/ˌæntɪbaɪˈɑːtɪk/]
a medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms, especially bacteria
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic to fight her stubborn throat infection.
Antibiotic fights, while probiotic creates symbiotic life!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The term 'antibiotic' was coined in the 1940s as a medical term combining Greek elements: 'anti' meaning 'against' and 'bios' meaning 'life', with the suffix '-tic' meaning 'relating to'. It describes substances that work against living microorganisms, particularly bacteria.
Breakdown
anti- (against) + bio- (life) + -tic (relating to). The word literally means 'relating to something that works against life', specifically the life of pathogenic microorganisms.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Mom always says 'Finish your antibiotics!' like they're vegetables on my plate.”
“The discovery of antibiotics revolutionized modern medicine and saved millions of lives.”
“Misusing antibiotics is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut - overkill and potentially harmful.”
“Healthcare professionals emphasize completing the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.