What does septics mean?
Septics is chiefly the plural form of the adjective septic, describing people, wounds, or systems affected by infection. In medical contexts, septics can informally mean patients suffering from serious infection or sepsis, although the condition itself is normally called sepsis. The adjective can also describe something that causes infection or contains harmful microorganisms. In plumbing and sanitation, septics commonly refers to septic tanks or other parts of a septic system used to treat wastewater. Because the word derives from a root associated with putrefaction and disease, it carries a strongly medical and unpleasant connotation. It should be distinguished from sterile and aseptic, which indicate the absence of contamination. Although informal when used as a noun for patients, the form is established in ordinary English and is especially common in reports about healthcare and public health.
Affected by infection with harmful microorganisms; causing or involving infection or pus formation.
"The hospital reported three septics cases in the intensive-care unit."
This is the plural form of septic and is used with countable nouns such as patients, wounds, and cases.
Informally, people suffering from sepsis; in plumbing contexts, septic tanks or related systems.
"The septic system failed, leaving several homes without a safe means of wastewater disposal."
The noun sense is informal in medical usage and is often replaced by the more precise term patients with sepsis.
As a noun, septics is already plural and refers informally to people suffering from sepsis or, in British usage, to septic tanks or systems.
"Public-health officials warned that the septics had been contaminated by an outbreak."
The word septic comes from a history of disease itself: its root means to make rotten or putrefy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does septics come from?
The underlying adjective septic comes from Latin septicus, meaning “of or causing putrefaction” and “infectious.” It was borrowed into English in the 17th century in medical contexts. The same Latin root produced English forms such as sepsis and septicaemia, while the related word aseptic was formed with the prefix a-, meaning “without,” in the 19th century.
Related word forms
How septics is actually used
As an adjective, septics is the ordinary plural of septic, especially with nouns such as patients, wounds, tanks, and systems. As a noun, the plural form is informal and can refer to septic patients; in British usage it may also refer to septic tanks. The medical term sepsis is preferred when naming the condition itself.
Easily confused with septics
Sepsis is the medical condition involving life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by infection, whereas septics informally refers to people suffering from it or, in plumbing, to septic systems.
Aseptic means free from contamination or infection, while septic means contaminated with harmful microorganisms.