aseptic (adj.)

prefix meaning "not, without," from Greek a-, an- "not" (the "alpha privative"), from PIE root *ne- "not" (source also of English un-).

In words from Greek, such as abysmal, adamant, amethyst; also partly nativized as a prefix of negation (asexual, amoral, agnostic). The ancient alpha privatum, denoting want or absence.

Greek also had an alpha copulativum, a- or ha-, expressing union or likeness, which is the a- expressing "together" in acolyte, acoustic, Adelphi, etc. It is from PIE root *sem- (1) "one; as one, together with."

c. 1600, "of or pertaining to sepsis; putrefaction, putrefying," from Latin septicus "of or pertaining to putrefaction," from Greek sēptikos "characterized by putrefaction," from sēptos, verbal adjective of sēpein "make rotten or putrid, cause to rot" (see sepsis). In modern use especially of infections or diseases caused by putrefaction.  Septic tank is attested from 1902.