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Glite Dictionary
microbicide

microbicide

1 7.2
A substance that kills germs like bacteria and viruses to prevent infection
  • noun
  • /ˈmaɪkroʊbaɪˌsaɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : microbicida
  • Although the means for developing female-controlled methods of protection are outside of social work's scope of practice, advocating for increased funding for research into vaginal microbicides may be within social work's realm.
  • microbicides against HIV
  • vaginal microbicides

Examples

  • Hitchcock and Alexander soon initiated research programs on vaginal physiology, immunology, and microbicides, eventually funding Cone's work.

    Academic text (2014)

  • And biomedical interventions, including treatment as prevention, pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, and microbicides, are exciting new tools to include in comprehensive prevention strategies to slow the spread of HIV.

    Blog text (5)

  • Boost for vaginal microbicides against HIV

    Academic text (1994)

  • The discovery of chlorine as a microbicide in the early 1900s was a turning point in drinking-water engineering.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Microbicide excipients can greatly increase susceptibility to genital herpes transmission in the mouse.

    Academic text (2014)

  • Researchers are developing a new microbicide that can effectively kill harmful bacteria on contact.

  • The use of microbicides in vaginal creams offers women an additional option for protection against infections.

  • Clinics are offering education on microbicides as part of their programs for preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

Synonyms

germicide
vsmicrobicide
  • Specialized
1 7.1

A substance that kills germs that can make people sick

can also stop growth and is used to prevent infections rather than only kill
antimicrobial
vsmicrobicide
  • Specialized
5.3

A substance that kills or stops the growth of germs that cause disease

is used mainly to prevent infections rather than treat disease

How Microbicidal

sterilant
  • Specialized
1 7.2
disinfectant
23 3.1
microbicide
  • Specialized
1 7.2
antiseptic
  • Specialized
3 3.7
preservative
24 3.7

Surface Forms

microbicide singular
microbicides plural

Morphology

microbicide = microbe (semi-transparent) = microbe + cide

The word is built from the clear base 'microbe' plus the killing suffix '-cide', but the terminology is somewhat specialized.

Etymology

Microbicide comes from micro- meaning 'small' and -cide meaning 'kill', as in microscope, which is for very small things, and pesticide, which kills pests. So a microbicide is a product that 'kills' very small living things, like germs, to help prevent infection.