Pronunciation: [sˈɛptɪk] (IPA) 
The word "septic" is spelled with the letters "s-e-p-t-i-c". The IPA phonetic transcription for "septic" is /ˈsɛptɪk/. The first syllable "sep" is pronounced with a short "e" sound followed by a "p" sound. The second syllable "tic" is pronounced with a short "i" sound and a "k" sound. The word is often used to describe something that causes or relates to infection, particularly related to a septic tank or wound.
Septic is an adjective that can have several meanings depending on the context in which it is used. The term is commonly associated with the medical field and is often used to describe a condition or a wound that is infected with harmful bacteria, especially in reference to sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by the spread of bacteria in the bloodstream. In this medical context, septic suggests an infection that is likely to cause serious complications if left untreated.
In a broader sense, septic can also refer to something that is putrid, foul-smelling, or contaminated. This could apply to a variety of situations outside of medicine, ranging from a septic tank, which is an underground chamber that collects and decomposes sewage, to a septic environment such as a stagnant pond or a contaminated water source. In these cases, septic implies a state of decay, with the potential for harmful bacteria or other microorganisms to proliferate.
Additionally, septic is sometimes used metaphorically to describe an individual or situation that is corrupt, contaminated, or morally decayed. This could refer to a person with malicious intentions or to a social or political system that is characterized by rampant corruption. In these figurative uses, septic suggests a state of moral impurity or moral degradation.
Overall, septic is a versatile adjective that can describe medical conditions, physical environments, or moral states that carry the connotation of contamination, decay, or infection.
Relating to or caused by sepsis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Having the power to promote putrefaction.
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 "septic" comes from the Latin term "septicus", which originated from the Greek word "septikos". In Greek, "septikos" means "diseased, putrefying". Eventually, the term made its way into English with the same meaning, relating to something that is infected or causing decay.
