sterile adj

1 incapable of reproducing; "an infertile couple" [syn: unfertile, infertile] [ant: fertile]

2 free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms; "a sterile operating area"; "aseptic surgical instruments"; "aseptic surgical techniques" [syn: aseptic]

3 deficient in originality or creativity; lacking powers of invention; "a sterile ideology lacking in originality"; "unimaginative development of a musical theme"; "uninspired writing" [syn: unimaginative, uninspired, uninventive]

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɛrəl

Adjective

1. unable to reproduce (or procreate).
2. unprofitable.

Synonyms

• barren
• infertile

Translations

Related terms

• sterilisation / sterilization
• sterilise / sterilize
• sterilised / sterilized
• sterility

Italian

Adjective

1. sterile, barren, unprolific, infertile
2. sterile, sterilized (medicine)
3. vain, pointless
4. unproductive

Related terms

• sterilità
• sterilizzato
• sterilizzazione
• sterilizzare
• sterilire

The term Sterility has several meanings:

• The quality or state of being unable to reproduce; of being infertile. The term may be used of higher animals.
• An aseptic condition, meaning an absence of living things, as in microbiology or the environment. See also aseptic technique and sterilization (microbiology).
• Sterility in medicine and surgery indicates a micro-environment (the surgical field) made free of infectious microorganisms.
• In literature and art, the term suggests work that does not arouse the intellect or the emotions.
• Sterile Records, a record label.

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