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English Lexicon

Disinfection

/ˌdɪs.ɪnˈfɛk.ʃən/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The process of cleaning something, especially by using chemicals, to destroy bacteria and viruses.

    "The hospital implemented strict disinfection protocols to prevent the spread of infections."
  2. 2

    A method or substance used to disinfect.

    "The disinfection of the water supply was crucial after the contamination incident."
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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'disinfection' originates from the Latin 'disinfectio', which combines 'dis-' (meaning 'apart' or 'away') and 'facere' (meaning 'to make'). It evolved in the late 19th century as a response to the growing understanding of germ theory and the need for methods to eliminate pathogens.

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