/'steraɪl; [US] 'sterəl; `stɛrəl/
adj
1 (of plants, animals or humans) not producing or not able to produce seeds, young or children （指植物、动物或人）不产生种子的, 不能生殖的, 不育的
*Medical tests showed that he was sterile. 医学检查表明他没有生育能力.
2 (of land) that cannot produce crops; barren （指土地）不能长庄稼的, 不毛的, 荒瘠的.
3 (fig 比喻) (of discussion, communication, etc) producing no useful results; unproductive （指讨论、联系等）无结果的, 无效果的
*a sterile debate 毫无结果的辩论.
4 free from germs, bacteria, etc 无菌的; 消过毒的
*sterile bandages 无菌　带
* An operating theatre should be completely sterile. 手术室应该完全无菌. Cf 参看 fertile.

adj
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin;Origin: sterilis]
a person or animal that is sterile cannot produce babies
= infertile
≠ fertile
make/render/leave sb sterile
　Radiotherapy has left her permanently sterile.
completely clean and not containing any bacteria that might cause infection
sterile equipment/water/bandages etc
　Rinse the eye with sterile water.
lacking new ideas, interest, or imagination
sterile argument/debate etc
　the increasingly sterile debate on political reform
a sterile building, room etc is not interesting or attractive and is often very plain
　The classrooms are sterile, with no artwork on the walls.
sterile land cannot be used to grow crops
>sterility [stə'rɪlɪti/