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• hypo
  hypo

  noun

  a hypodermic syringe or injection.
• hypo-
  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 ).
• Hypo-
  Hypo-

  prefix

  indicating a plagal mode in music
• hypo–
  hypo–

  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.

hypo

¹ American  

[hahy-poh] / ˈhaɪ poʊ /

noun

hypos plural

1. a hypodermic syringe or injection.

2. a stimulus or boost.

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verb (used with object)

1. to administer a hypodermic injection to.

2. to stimulate by or as if by administering a hypodermic injection.

3. to increase, boost, or augment.

   to hypo the car's power by installing a bigger engine.

hypo ² American  

[hahy-poh] / ˈhaɪ poʊ /

noun

1. sodium thiosulfate.

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hypo ³ American  

[hahy-poh] / ˈhaɪ poʊ /

noun

Archaic.

1. hypochondria.

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hypo- ⁴ American  

1. 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 ).

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hypo ¹ British  

/ ˈhaɪpəʊ /

noun

1. short for hypodermic syringe

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Hypo- ² British  

prefix

1. indicating a plagal mode in music

   Hypodorian

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hypo ³ British  

/ ˈhaɪpəʊ /

noun

1. another name for sodium thiosulphate, esp when used as a fixer in photographic developing

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hypo- ⁴ British  

prefix

1. under, beneath, or below

   hypodermic

2. lower; at a lower point

   hypogastrium

3. less than

   hypoploid

4. (in medicine) denoting a deficiency or an abnormally low level

   hypothyroid

   hypoglycaemia

5. incomplete or partial

   hypoplasia

6. indicating that a chemical compound contains an element in a lower oxidation state than usual

   hypochlorous acid

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hypo– Scientific  

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• hypos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hypo¹

First recorded in 1900–05; by shortening of hypodermic; sense “stimulate” perhaps by association with hype ¹; see -o

Origin of hypo²

First recorded in 1855–60; shortening of hyposulfite

Origin of hypo³

First recorded in 1700–10; by shortening

Origin of hypo-⁴

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

Example Sentences

If either the hypo- or hyper- condition goes to excess, the cell’s functions become compromised, and the cell may be destroyed.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo- or hypercalcemia.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Of course both in hypo- and in hyper- the vowel is short in Greek, so that here at least the strange lengthening cannot be ascribed to the Grecians.

From Society for Pure English Tract 4 The Pronunciation of English Words Derived from the Latin by Sargeaunt, John

The pampered hypo-         crite may have a flowery pathway here, but 41:12 he cannot forever break the Golden Rule and escape the         penalty due.

From Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures by Eddy, Mary Baker

If more than two be known, the one inferior in oxygen content has the prefix hypo- and the termination -ous, and the one superior in oxygen content has the prefix per- and the termination -ic.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various