antibiotic

(ant″i-bī-ot′ik )

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[ anti- + biotic ]

1. A natural or synthetic substance that destroys microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antibiotics are used extensively to treat infectious diseases in plants, animals, and humans.
SEE: antimicrobial drug ; SEE: bacterium
2. Destructive to life.
3. Pert. to antibiosis.

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