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Disinfect is a verb that refers to the process of eliminating or reducing the number of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other pathogens on surfaces, objects, or living tissues. It involves the use of chemicals, heat, ultraviolet light, or other physical or chemical means to destroy or inactivate these potentially disease-causing organisms.
The objective of disinfection is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and maintain a clean and safe environment. Disinfection is commonly employed in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, food establishments, and households. It is particularly crucial in areas or on items that are frequently touched or used by multiple people, as well as in situations where contamination is highly likely, such as after a spill or in the presence of bodily fluids.
Disinfection methods can vary depending on the specific circumstances and requirements. Some common disinfectants include chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, quaternary ammonium compounds, and phenolics. These chemicals act by either damaging the pathogen's cell walls or interfering with its metabolic processes, effectively killing or rendering them inactive.
It is important to note that disinfection should be distinguished from sterilization, which refers to the complete elimination of all forms of microbial life. While disinfection reduces the number of microbes to a level that is considered safe, it may not completely eliminate all of them. Therefore, specific situations may require different degrees of disinfection, such as high-level disinfection for medical equipment or surface disinfection for general cleanliness.
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To destroy microorganisms in or on any substance or to inhibit their growth and vital activity.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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To purify from contagious matter; to cleanse; to free from infection.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "disinfect" originated from the Latin roots "dis" meaning "apart, away from" and "infectus" meaning "infected". The term "disinfect" was first used in the English language in the mid-19th century, derived from the Latin term "disinfectus", which referred to cleansing or purifying in order to eliminate or prevent the spread of infection.
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
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CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
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CONDITIONAL PRESENT
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CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
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FUTURE
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FUTURE CONTINUOUS
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FUTURE PERFECT
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FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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IMPERATIVE
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PAST CONTINUOUS
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PAST PARTICIPLE
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PAST PERFECT
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PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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PRESENT
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PRESENT CONTINUOUS
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PRESENT PARTICIPLE
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PRESENT PERFECT
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PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
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SIMPLE PAST
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