hypertonic
Americanadjective
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Physiology. of or relating to hypertonia.
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Physical Chemistry. noting a solution of higher osmotic pressure than another solution with which it is compared (opposed to hypotonic).
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hypertonic
First recorded in 1850–55; hyperton(ia) + -ic
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Vocabulary lists containing hypertonic
Cell Biology - High School
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Chemistry - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Andrew has hypertonic cerebral palsy, which means he suffers from tightening muscles and regular spasms.
From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2024
Figure 32.2 Cells placed in a hypertonic environment tend to shrink due to loss of water.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Saltwater fish live in the reverse environment, which is hypertonic to their cells, and they secrete salt through their gills and excrete highly concentrated urine.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
In a hypertonic solution, water leaves a cell and the cell shrinks.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
On the right a grain of salt forming a hypertonic pole of concentration, on the left a drop of blood forming a hypotonic pole of dilution.
From The Mechanism of Life by Stéphane Leduc
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