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hypotonic

American  
[hahy-puh-ton-ik] / ˌhaɪ pəˈtɒn ɪk /

adjective

  1. Physiology. (of tissue) having less than the normal tone.

  2. Physical Chemistry. noting a solution of lower osmotic pressure than another solution with which it is compared (opposed to hypertonic).


hypotonic British  
/ ˌhaɪpəˈtɒnɪk, ˌhaɪpətəˈnɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

  1. pathol (of muscles) lacking normal tone or tension

  2. (of a solution) having a lower osmotic pressure than that of a specified, generally physiological, solution Compare hypertonic isotonic

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of hypotonic

First recorded in 1890–95; hypo- + tonic

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Freshwater fish live in an environment that is hypotonic to their cells.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

In such hypotonic environments, these fish do not drink much water.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

Sports drinks can be divided into hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic.

From Textbooks Dec. 21, 2021

An eccrine sweat gland is type of gland that produces a hypotonic sweat for thermoregulation.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

As a result of this aggregation the number of molecules in a given area is diminished, i.e. the concentration and the osmotic pressure fall, producing a hypotonic centre of diffusion.

From The Mechanism of Life by Stéphane Leduc

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