noun

antibiotic

antibiotic

The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.

The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for the infection.

Some bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.

Some bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.

((an antibiotic)) a medicine that destroys bacteria The doctor prescribed an antibiotic.

Synonyms: antibacterial, antimicrobial

From the prefix 'anti-' (against) + 'bio-' (life). It literally means 'against life', referring to its function of killing bacteria.

Think 'anti-life' for harmful bacteria. This helps remember its purpose is to fight living organisms causing infection.

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