Antibiotic

Definition

A substance that kills bacteria or inhibits their growth—humanity's favorite chemical weapon against microscopic invaders.

Example Usage

The patient received broad-spectrum antibiotics pending culture results.

Origin

Greek: anti (against) + bios (life); term coined in 1941

Fun Fact

Antibiotic resistance develops when bacteria survive treatment and pass resistance genes to offspring, making antibiotics progressively less effective.

Source: Microbiology and pharmacology

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Parenteral

Any route of medication administration that bypasses the digestive system, typically intravenous or intramuscular. When 'take with food' isn't an option.

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fauna

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Emesis

The medical term for vomiting, because saying 'puking' apparently lacks sufficient professional dignity. The body's aggressive return policy for unwanted stomach contents.

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sundowning

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chemotherapy

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Cash out

Street slang for murder, specifically when the victim is worth more dead than alive. Charmingly pragmatic economics....