A substance or agent that stops or slows bacterial growth without killing the bacteria.
From bacterio- (relating to bacteria) + -stat (device that maintains a constant condition). Created in the early 1900s as medical chemistry advanced and researchers needed a term for growth-inhibiting substances.
Silver, certain dyes, and even some household cleaners are bacteriostats—they're like bouncers at a bacteria nightclub, saying 'you can't come in here' without throwing anyone out!
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