hepatic

[ hi-pat-ik ]

/ hɪˈpæt ɪk /

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adjective

of or relating to the liver.

acting on the liver, as a medicine.

liver-colored; dark reddish-brown.

Botany. belonging or pertaining to the liverworts.

noun

a medicine acting on the liver.

a liverwort.

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Origin of hepatic

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

OTHER WORDS FROM hepatic

non·he·pat·ic, adjective, nounpost·he·pat·ic, adjectivesub·he·pat·ic, adjective

Words nearby hepatic

heparitin sulfate, hepat-, hepatalgia, hepatatrophia, hepatectomy, hepatic, hepatica, hepatic artery, hepatic coma, hepatic duct, hepatic encephalopathy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use hepatic in a sentence

It is the hepatic aloes of most continental writers, and said to be the of Dioscorides.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
It is weaker than Barbadoes or even hepatic aloes, and is more apt to gripe, &c., than the latter.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
It is obtained from the same plant as produces genuine hepatic aloes.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
When melted and doctored, it is sold for Barbadoes, hepatic, and even Socotrine aloes.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley

It was formerly used in Europe in various complaints, especially chronic hepatic affections, but has fallen into entire neglect.
The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees|James Mooney

British Dictionary definitions for hepatic

hepatic

/ (hɪˈpætɪk) /

adjective

of or relating to the liver

botany of or relating to the liverworts

having the colour of liver

noun

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

a less common name for a liverwort

Word Origin for hepatic

C15: from Latin hēpaticus, from Greek hēpar liver

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for hepatic

hepatic

[ hĭ-păt′ĭk ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or resembling the liver.

Acting on or occurring in the liver.

A drug that acts on the liver.

Scientific definitions for hepatic

hepatic

[ hĭ-păt′ĭk ]

Relating to or involving the liver.