Dictionary
ster•ile
Pronunciation: (ster'il or, esp. Brit., -īl), [key]—
adj.
1. free from living germs or microorganisms; aseptic:
sterile surgical instruments.
2. incapable of producing offspring; not producing offspring.
3. barren; not producing vegetation:
sterile soil.
4. Bot.
a. noting a plant in which reproductive structures fail to develop.
b. bearing no stamens or pistils.
5. not productive of results, ideas, etc.; fruitless.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.