This word carries a collection of ancient and recent history in its core.
Arising from the Greek 'sepein' which means 'to cause to decay', its origins in English are found in the noun, 'sepsis' which, in medical terms, is the name given to the presence of bacteria that give rise to pus in the body.
In this form, it came into the language via Latin in the 19 Century, at the time that the root-causes of disease were being discovered.
As an adjective, its orgins lie in sepein and its derivative, septos (Greek for decayed) which became septikos (Greek) and septicus (Latin); the latter appearing in the 17 Century.
In recent history, we identify it in relation to sanitation methods, via the 'septic tank'.
Arising from the Greek 'sepein' which means 'to cause to decay', its origins in English are found in the noun, 'sepsis' which, in medical terms, is the name given to the presence of bacteria that give rise to pus in the body.
In this form, it came into the language via Latin in the 19 Century, at the time that the root-causes of disease were being discovered.
As an adjective, its orgins lie in sepein and its derivative, septos (Greek for decayed) which became septikos (Greek) and septicus (Latin); the latter appearing in the 17 Century.
In recent history, we identify it in relation to sanitation methods, via the 'septic tank'.
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