from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
bacteriostatic \bacteriostatic\ adj.
1. of or pertaining to bacteriostasis or a bacteriostat.
[WordNet 1.5]
2. causing bacteriostasis; -- said of chemical substances,
such as certain antibacterial agents.
[PJC]
Note: Substances, such as antibiotics, which inhibit
bacterial growth are usually classified as
bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal depending on the rate
at which bacteria exposed to the agents[4] die. The
rates of death of bacteria exposed to antibacterial
agents[4] are, however, dependent on the concentration
of the agent[4], and form a continuum with some
antibacterial agents[4] of intermediate type. The
penicillins are considered as typical bactericidal
agents, and chloramphenicol or the sulfa drugs as
typical bacteriostatic agents. In general, inhibitors
of cell-wall synthesis will be bactericidal and many
inhibitors of protein synthesis are classed as
bacteriostatic, but some of the aminoglycosides also
kill bacteria rapidly.
[PJC]