bacteriostatic

bacteriostatic acteriostatic adj. 1. of or pertaining to bacteriostasis or a bacteriostat. [WordNet 1.5]

2. causing bacteriostasis; -- said of chemical substances, such as certain antibacterial agents. [PJC]

Note: Substances, such as antibiotics, which inhibit bacterial growth are usually classified as bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal depending on the rate at which bacteria exposed to the agents[4] die. The rates of death of bacteria exposed to antibacterial agents[4] are, however, dependent on the concentration of the agent[4], and form a continuum with some antibacterial agents[4] of intermediate type. The penicillins are considered as typical bactericidal agents, and chloramphenicol or the sulfa drugs as typical bacteriostatic agents. In general, inhibitors of cell-wall synthesis will be bactericidal and many inhibitors of protein synthesis are classed as bacteriostatic, but some of the aminoglycosides also kill bacteria rapidly. [PJC]