hypo-

a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “under” (hypostasis); on this model used, especially as opposed to hyper-, in the formation of compound words (hypothyroid).

Also especially before a vowel, hyp-.

Origin of hypo-

< Greek, combining form of hypó under (preposition), below (adv.); cognate with Latin sub (see sub-); cf. up

Can be confusedhyper- hypo-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for hypo-

hypo-

before a vowel hyp-

prefix

under, beneath, or belowhypodermic
lower; at a lower pointhypogastrium
less thanhypoploid
(in medicine) denoting a deficiency or an abnormally low levelhypothyroid; hypoglycaemia
incomplete or partialhypoplasia
indicating that a chemical compound contains an element in a lower oxidation state than usualhypochlorous acid

Word Origin for hypo-

from Greek, from hupo under

Hypo-

prefix

indicating a plagal mode in musicHypodorian

Word Origin for Hypo-

from Greek: beneath (it lies a fourth below the corresponding authentic mode)

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 hypo-

word-forming element meaning "under, beneath" (in chemistry, indicating a lesser oxidation), from hypo-, comb. form of Greek hypo (prep. and adverb) "under," from PIE *upo- "under, up from under, over" (see sub-).

hypo- in Medicine

hypo-

pref.

Below; beneath; under:hypochondriac.
Less than normal; deficient:hypofunction.
In the lowest state of oxidation:hypoxanthine.

hypo- in Science

hypo-

hyp-

A prefix that means beneath or below, as in hypodermic, below the skin. It also means less than normal, especially in medical terms like hypoglycemia. In the names of chemical compounds, it means at the lowest state of oxidation, as in sodium hypochlorite.