a. and sb. [f. ANTI- 3 + Gr. σηπτικ-ός putrefying, f. σηπτός rotten, f. σήπ-ειν to rot.] A. adj.
1. Counteracting putrefaction; antiputrescent.
1751. Gentl. Mag., 557. Myrth in a watery menstruum was 12 times more antiseptic than sea salt.
1774. Priestley, Observ. Air, 228. This remarkable antiseptic power of nitrous air.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sc. (ed. 6), I. v. 155. He surrounds the wound … with antiseptic bandages.
2. fig. Preventing moral decay.
1820. Southey, Wesley, I. 204. In some such abominations Moravianism might have ended … where there was no antiseptic influence of surrounding circumstances to preserve it from putrescence.
1850. Carlyle, Latter-d. Pamph., viii. (1872), 261. Not divine men, yet useful antiseptic products of their generation.
B. sb. (sc. agent.)
1751. Gentl. Mag., Dec., 557. Acids per se are most powerful antiseptics.
1871. Napheys, Prev. & Cure Dis., II. iv. 521. The charcoal poultice is an excellent antiseptic.
3. fig.
1825. Bentham, Ration. Reward, 175. A salary proportionate to the wants of the functionary operates as a kind of moral antiseptic, or preservative.
1850. H. Rogers, Ess., I. 493. Johnson … speaks of the necessity of an author’s choosing a theme of enduring interest, if he would be remembered…. Alas! we fear this is but an insufficient antiseptic.
