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.

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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

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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.

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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

The new models offered a peek at the underlying pathology, illuminating the roles of hepatic stellate and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in the disease process.

From Science Daily • Jan. 23, 2024

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

Scientists of the Food and Drug Administration who reported the discovery of these tumors were uncertain how to classify them, but felt there was some “justification for considering them low grade hepatic cell carcinomas.”

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson