An agent that destroys microorganisms, especially pathogenic organisms. Other terms with the suffix cide (e.g., virucide, fungicide, bactericide, tuberculocide, sporicide) indicate an agent that destroys the microorganism identified by the prefix. Germicides may be used to inactivate microorganisms in or on living tissue (antiseptic) or on environmental surfaces (disinfectants). (Centers for Disease Control, 2018)
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