sterile
adj
1 (of plants, animals or humans) not producing or not able to produce seeds, young or children (指植物、 動物或人)不產生種子的, 不能生殖的, 不育的
Medical tests showed that he was sterile. 醫學檢查表明他沒有生育能力.
2 (of land) that cannot produce crops; barren (指土地)不能長莊稼的, 不毛的, 荒瘠的.
3 (fig 比喻) (of discussion, communication, etc) producing no useful results; unproductive (指討論、 聯系等)無結果的, 無效果的
a sterile debate 毫無結果的辯論.
4 free from germs, bacteria, etc 無菌的; 消過毒的
sterile bandages 無菌 帶
An operating theatre should be completely sterile. 手術室應該完全無菌. Cf 參看 fertile.