hypertonic

[hahy-per-ton-ik]

adjective

Physiology. of or relating to hypertonia.

Physical Chemistry. noting a solution of higher osmotic pressure than another solution with which it is compared (opposed to hypotonic).Compare isotonic(def 1).

Origin of hypertonic

First recorded in 1850–55; hyperton(ia) + -ic

Related formshy·per·to·nic·i·ty

[hahy-per-toh-nis-i-tee] /ˌhaɪ pər toʊˈnɪs ɪ ti/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for hypertonicity

hypertonic

adjective

(esp of muscles) being in a state of abnormally high tension

(of a solution) having a higher osmotic pressure than that of a specified, generally physiological, solutionCompare hypotonic, isotonic

Derived Formshypertonicity (ˌhaɪpətəʊˈnɪsɪtɪ), noun

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

Word Origin and History for hypertonicity

hypertonic

1855, from hyper- + tonic. Related: Hypertonia; hypertonicity.

hypertonicity in Medicine

hypertonic

[hī′pər-tŏn′ĭk]

adj.

Having extreme muscular or arterial tension; spastic.

Having the higher osmotic pressure of two solutions.

Related formshy′per•to•nic′i•ty (-tə-nĭs′ĭ-tē, -tō-) n.