Basic Details
Word: Antibiotic
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A medicine that helps to kill bacteria or stop them from growing, used to treat infections.
Synonyms: Antibacterial, antimicrobial, germicide
Antonyms: Antiseptic, disinfectant (in terms of function)
Idioms and Phrases
- Take an antibiotic: To start medication to fight an infection. Example: "The doctor advised him to take an antibiotic for his throat infection."
- Like a tonic: Something that refreshes or invigorates, often used metaphorically for medicines, including antibiotics. Example: "The new antibiotic worked like a tonic; he felt much better within days."
Usage Examples
Example 1: When Nina got a bad infection in her ear, the doctor prescribed an antibiotic to help her heal.
Example 2: It's important to take antibiotics exactly as directed, even if you start to feel better.
Example 3: Overusing antibiotics can lead to bacteria that are resistant to treatment.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the first antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928? It was found by accident when he noticed that mould growing in a petri dish was killing bacteria.
Famous Quote
"Antibiotics are not a cure-all; we must exercise caution and consider their effects on our health." - Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "antibiotic" mean?
a) A medicine that heals wounds
b) A medicine that kills or stops the growth of bacteria
c) A type of food
d) A kind of exercise
Answer: b) A medicine that kills or stops the growth of bacteria
2. Which of these is a synonym of "antibiotic"?
a) Antihistamine
b) Antibacterial
c) Painkiller
d) Nutrient
Answer: b) Antibacterial
3. Which word is an antonym related to medicine?
a) Disinfectant
b) Antiseptic
c) Amoxicillin
d) Tonic
Answer: d) Tonic
4. Which sentence uses "antibiotic" correctly?
a) She used the antibiotic to help clean her room.
b) The antibiotic made him feel tired during the game.
c) He took the antibiotic as prescribed and recovered quickly.
d) The antibiotic was served at dinner.
Answer: c) He took the antibiotic as prescribed and recovered quickly.
5. Which idiom relates to medical treatment?
a) Take an antibiotic
b) Barking up the wrong tree
c) Cry over spilt milk
d) A piece of cake
Answer: a) Take an antibiotic
