hypothermia

American  

[hahy-puh-thur-mee-uh] / ˌhaɪ pəˈθɜr mi ə /

noun

1. Pathology. subnormal body temperature.

2. Medicine/Medical. the artificial reduction of body temperature to slow metabolic processes, as for facilitating heart surgery.

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hypothermia British  

/ ˌhaɪpəʊˈθɜːmɪə /

noun

1. pathol an abnormally low body temperature, as induced in the elderly by exposure to cold weather

2. med the intentional reduction of normal body temperature, as by ice packs, to reduce the patient's metabolic rate: performed esp in heart and brain surgery

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hypothermia Scientific  

/ hī′pə-thûr′mē-ə /

1. An abnormally low body temperature, often caused by prolonged exposure to cold.

2. Compare hyperthermia

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Other Word Forms

• hypothermic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypothermia

First recorded in 1885–90; hypo- + therm- + -ia

Compare meaning

How does hypothermia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hypothermia vs. hyperthermia

Example Sentences

Despite this, Callum was still insisting he would get the ferry and head home, despite being at risk of hypothermia.

From BBC

In the frost, wounds quickly turn deadly, as hypothermia weakens the body's ability to cope with trauma.

From Barron's

An Arctic airmass brought hazardous sub-zero "wind chills" - the temperature it feels like rather than the temperature it is - to the region over the weekend, bringing a risk of hypothermia and frostbite, the forecaster said.

From BBC

“She has some cuts and bruises, and slight hypothermia, but that’s it. We’ll keep her for a day or two for observation but I anticipate no serious problems. You kids were lucky. Both of you.”

From Literature

While official counts are still being tallied, states have reported dozens of deaths as a result of hypothermia, car crashes, and sledding accidents.

From Barron's