English

abacterial

From a- (“without”) + bacterial.

A compound of a- ‘without’ + bacterial

Proto-Indo-European *uds- ‘up, out’

Proto-Germanic *uz- ‘out-’

Proto-West Germanic *uʀ- ‘up, out, over’

English a-

Ancient Greek βακτηρία ‘rod, staff, cane’

Ancient Greek βακτήριον ‘diminutive of βακτηρία (baktēría)’

New Latin bactēria

English bacteria

Today it means

adj Not caused by bacteria; characterized by a lack of bacteria.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / abacterial