hypothermia

[hahy-puh-thur-mee-uh]

noun

1. Pathology.,  subnormal body temperature.

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

hypothermia

/ 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

hypothermia

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

2. Compare hyperthermia

Other Word Forms

• hypothermic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypothermia¹

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

Example Sentences

Dong Shuchang, 27, said that several people in his group of 20 showed signs of hypothermia.

From BBC

Tibet's Blue Sky Rescue team had received a call for help saying that tents had collapsed due to heavy snow, and that some hikers were already suffering from hypothermia, Chinese state media reported.

From BBC

There a 49-year-old woman was found suffering from hypothermia and was taken to hospital.

From BBC

A couple and their child suffering from moderate hypothermia were rushed to a hospital in Boulogne, she added.

From BBC

And because skin removal surgeries can take up to six hours, they carry a higher risk of medical complications like hypothermia, pressure sores and infection.

From BBC