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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