hepatic

American  

[hi-pat-ik] / hɪˈpæt ɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the liver.

2. acting on the liver, as a medicine.

3. liver-colored; dark reddish-brown.

4. Botany. belonging or pertaining to the liverworts.

---

noun

1. a medicine acting on the liver.

2. a liverwort.

hepatic British  

/ hɪˈpætɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the liver

2. botany of or relating to the liverworts

3. having the colour of liver

---

noun

1. obsolete any of various drugs for use in treating diseases of the liver

2. a less common name for a liverwort

hepatic Scientific  

/ hĭ-păt′ĭk /

1. Relating to or involving the liver.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonhepatic adjective
• posthepatic adjective
• subhepatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hepatic

1350–1400; Middle English epatik ≪ Latin hēpaticus < Greek hēpatikós. See hepato-, -ic

Example Sentences

This contrast suggests that genetic background plays a central role in shaping which metabolites appear in the hepatic portal vein.

From Science Daily • Dec. 14, 2025

Her companion and only immediate survivor, James McCullar, said the cause was complications of hepatic cirrhosis.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2023

The defense countered by describing Gee’s hepatic encephalopathy, a nervous system disorder brought on by severe liver disease that elicits symptoms similar to those triggered by CTE.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2022

Mr Stephens had acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy, a neurological disorder caused by a build-up of toxins in the bloodstream, because of a badly damaged liver.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2022

Father Nicanor, consumed by hepatic fever, was replaced by Father Coronel, whom they called “The Pup,” a veteran of the first federalist war.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez