This week's theme: red-herring words.

axenic (ay-ZEN-ik, ay-ZEE-nik) adjective

   Free from contamination.

[From Greek a- (not) + xenikos (foreign). Ultimately from the Indo-European
root ghos-ti- (stranger, guest, or host, literally one who has a reciprocal
duty of hospitality) that also gave us host, hostel, hostile, hostage,
hospice, hospital, xenophobia, and xenon (a gas).]

Today's word in Visual Thesaurus: http://visualthesaurus.com/?w1=axenic

-Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org)

  "Operation Axenic was launched in July to help improve the streets in
   New Shildon. Action was taken following complaints about antisocial
   behaviour and litter."
   Helen Miller; Arrests Made in Joint Bid to Clean Up the Streets;
   Northern Echo (Darlington, UK); Oct 30, 2004.

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Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/axenic.wav
http://wordsmith.org/words/axenic.ram

Permalink: http://wordsmith.org/words/axenic.html

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