antibiotic

antibiotic definition - medical

an·ti·bi·ot·ic (ănˌtĭ-bī-ŏtˈĭk, ănˌtī-)

noun
A substance, such as penicillin or streptomycin, produced by or derived from certain fungi, bacteria, and other organisms, that can destroy or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms.
adjective
  1. Of or relating to antibiotics.
  2. Of or relating to antibiosis.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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