hypodermic

[hahy-puh-dur-mik]

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.

noun

1. a hypodermic remedy.

2. a hypodermic injection.

3. hypodermic syringe.

4. the administration of drugs into subcutaneous body tissues.

hypodermic

/ ˌhaɪpəˈdɜːmɪk /

adjective

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

2. injected beneath the skin

noun

1. a hypodermic syringe or needle

2. a hypodermic injection

Other Word Forms

• hypodermically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypodermic¹

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

Example Sentences

A search of their vehicle yielded the drugs, hypodermic needles and other related paraphernalia, according to authorities.

From Los Angeles Times

Garbage, campfires, hypodermic needles and feces litter the beach, Hun said.

From Los Angeles Times

Similar to a hypodermic needle, a nematode uses its stylet to pierce cells and pull out food -- in this case from the pseudoscorpion's hypodermis, part of the outer covering known as the integument.

From Science Daily

Aside from a few discarded hypodermic needles on the ground, the Hunter’s Field Playground in New Orleans looks almost untouched.

From Salon

The stingers buried themselves into my skin like mini hypodermic needles — and I enjoyed it.

From Salon