Disinfect: meaning, definitions and examples
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disinfect
[ dɪsɪnˈfɛkt ]
cleaning
To cleanse of germs or impurities by chemical or physical means.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Make sure to disinfect all surfaces in the kitchen to prevent the spread of bacteria.
- After someone in the house gets sick, it's important to disinfect commonly touched objects.
- The hospital staff disinfects the equipment after each use to maintain a sterile environment.
Word origin
The word 'disinfect' originated from the Latin word 'disinfectare', which means 'to clean thoroughly'. The concept of disinfection has been around for centuries, with ancient civilizations using various methods such as boiling water or using natural substances like vinegar to disinfect. In modern times, the development of chemical disinfectants has greatly improved the effectiveness of disinfection processes, leading to better hygiene and disease control.
See also: disinfectant, disinfection, disinfector, infect, infected, infection, infections, infectious.