axenic

A1X8E1N1I1C3
/eɪˈzɛnɪk//eɪˈzinɪk/

adjective

Containing only a single species of microorganism.

“Near-synonyms: isolated, sequestered”

Similar
monoculturalmonoculturedisolatedsequesteredgermfreepure
OriginEnglish xenic ← Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-) ← Proto-Hellenic *ə- →
RareScrabble 15
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Meanings

adjectiveaxenic (not comparable)
  1. not comparablesample; specimen; etc; sample; specimen; etcbiologyContaining only a single species of microorganism.

    Near-synonyms: monocultural, monocultured

    1 more example

    This species has resisted all attempts at axenic culture.

    Synonyms: monocultural, monocultured

  2. not comparablebiologyIsolated from organisms of any other species.

    Near-synonyms: isolated, sequestered

    Synonyms: isolated, sequestered

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveContaining only a single species of microorganism.

Similar
monoculturalmonocultured

adjectiveIsolated from organisms of any other species.

Similar
isolatedsequestered

More synonyms by meaning

adjective(of experimental animals) raised under sterile conditions

Similar
germfree

adjective(used of cultures of microorganisms) completely free from other organisms

Similar
pure
Also see
monoculturalmonoculturedpure

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*né
  2. Proto-Indo-European*n̥-
  3. Proto-Hellenic*ə-
  4. Ancient Greekἀ- (a-)
  5. Englisha-
  6. Englishxenic
  7. Englishaxenic

From a- + xenic.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

xenica
Cite this entry
APA

axenic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/axenic

MLA

“axenic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/axenic. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “axenic,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/axenic.

Source: axenic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.