definitions

hypotonic

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

adjective

Physiology. (of tissue) having less than the normal tone.
Physical Chemistry. noting a solution of lower osmotic pressure than another solution with which it is compared (opposed to hypertonic).Compare isotonic(def 1).

Nearby words

hypothymia, hypothymic, hypothymism, hypothyroidism, hypotonia, hypotonic, hypotoxicity, hypotrachelium, hypotrich, hypotrichosis, hypotrophy

Origin of hypotonic

First recorded in 1890–95; hypo- + tonic
Related formshy·po·to·nic·i·ty [hahy-poh-toh-nis-i-tee] /ˌhaɪ poʊ toʊˈnɪs ɪ ti/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hypotonic

British Dictionary definitions for hypotonic

hypotonic

/ (ˌhaɪpəˈtɒnɪk) /

adjective

pathol (of muscles) lacking normal tone or tension
(of a solution) having a lower osmotic pressure than that of a specified, generally physiological, solutionCompare hypertonic, isotonic
Derived Formshypotonicity (ˌhaɪpətəˈnɪsɪtɪ), noun
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

Word Origin and History for hypotonic

hypotonic

adj.

1873, from hypo- + tonic.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for hypotonic

hypotonic

[ hī′pō-tŏn′ĭk ]

adj.

Having less than normal tone or tension, as of muscles or arteries.
Having a lower osmotic pressure than a reference solution.
Related formshy′po•to•nic′i•ty (-tə-nĭs′ĭ-tē) n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.