• Germ-free

    Origin

    From germ + free.

    Full definition of germ-free

    Adjective

    germ-free

    1. Without any (especially harmful) microorganisms; aseptic. from 19th c.
    2. (science) Specifically, pertaining to an animal with no microorganisms living in or on it, used in gnotobiotic research.
      • 2018, Nicola Davis, The Guardian, 256 March:It is worth being cautious: many studies show associations rather than cause and effect, and some are based only on studies in germ-free mice and have not been explored in humans.

    Alternative forms

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