n.
Pronunciation: ˌ sep-t ə - ' s ē -m ē - ə
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin septicus + New Latin -emia
Date: circa 1860
: invasion of the bloodstream by virulent microorganisms and especially bacteria along with their toxins from a local seat of infection accompanied especially by chills, fever, and prostration ― called also blood poisoning ― compare SEPSIS
– sep · ti · ce · mic \ - ' s ē -mik \ adjective