— sterilely , adv. — sterility /steuh ril"i tee/ , sterileness , n.
/ster"il/ or, esp. Brit., /-uyl/ , adj.
1. free from living germs or microorganisms; aseptic: sterile surgical instruments.
2. incapable of producing offspring; not producing offspring.
3. barren; not producing vegetation: sterile soil.
4. Bot.
a. noting a plant in which reproductive structures fail to develop.
b. bearing no stamens or pistils.
5. not productive of results, ideas, etc.; fruitless.
[ 1545-55; sterilis unfruitful ]
Syn. 2. infecund, unfruitful.
Ant. 2, 3. fertile.