hypodermic

[hahy-puh-dur-mik]

adjective

1. characterized by the introduction of medicine or drugs under the skin.

   hypodermic injection.

2. introduced under the skin.

   a hypodermic medication.

3. pertaining to parts under the skin.

4. stimulating; energizing.

noun

1. a hypodermic remedy.

2. a hypodermic injection.

3. hypodermic syringe.

4. the administration of drugs into subcutaneous body tissues.

hypodermic

/ ˌhaɪpəˈdɜːmɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the region of the skin beneath the epidermis

2. injected beneath the skin

noun

1. a hypodermic syringe or needle

2. a hypodermic injection

Other Word Forms

• hypodermically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypodermic¹

First recorded in 1860–65; hypoderm(a) + -ic

Example Sentences

A search of their vehicle yielded the drugs, hypodermic needles and other related paraphernalia, according to authorities.

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Garbage, campfires, hypodermic needles and feces litter the beach, Hun said.

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Similar to a hypodermic needle, a nematode uses its stylet to pierce cells and pull out food -- in this case from the pseudoscorpion's hypodermis, part of the outer covering known as the integument.

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Aside from a few discarded hypodermic needles on the ground, the Hunter’s Field Playground in New Orleans looks almost untouched.

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The stingers buried themselves into my skin like mini hypodermic needles — and I enjoyed it.

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