hypodermic

American  

[hahy-puh-dur-mik] / ˌhaɪ pəˈdɜr mɪk /

adjective

1. characterized by the introduction of medicine or drugs under the skin.

   hypodermic injection.

2. introduced under the skin.

   a hypodermic medication.

3. pertaining to parts under the skin.

4. stimulating; energizing.

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noun

1. a hypodermic remedy.

2. a hypodermic injection.

3. hypodermic syringe.

4. the administration of drugs into subcutaneous body tissues.

hypodermic British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈdɜːmɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the region of the skin beneath the epidermis

2. injected beneath the skin

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noun

1. a hypodermic syringe or needle

2. a hypodermic injection

Other Word Forms

• hypodermically adverb

Etymology

Origin of hypodermic

First recorded in 1860–65; hypoderm(a) + -ic

Example Sentences

Lee watched him, holding his breath the way a doctor watches for the reaction to a hypodermic.

From Literature

The crystals were as sharp as hypodermic syringes, and they glittered in the beams of the flashlights.

From Literature

Mom pushes down on the hypodermic syringe full of saline to flush the wound.

From Literature

Doc Daneeka accepted the explanation and put away his hypodermic syringe.

From Literature

Finally a doctor came, gray-haired, white-coated, spectacled, efficient, serious, taciturn, bearing a tray upon which sat a bottle of mysterious fluid and a hypodermic needle.

From Literature