hypotonic

[ hahy-puh-ton-ik ]

/ ˌhaɪ pəˈtɒn ɪk /

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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).

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Origin of hypotonic

First recorded in 1890–95; hypo- + tonic

OTHER WORDS FROM hypotonic

hy·po·to·nic·i·ty

[hahy-poh-toh-nis-i-tee], /ˌhaɪ poʊ toʊˈnɪs ɪ ti/, noun

Words nearby hypotonic

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use hypotonic in a sentence

In a hypotonic solution they swell up and burst, the hmoglobin dissolving in the liquid and colouring it red.
The Mechanism of Life|Stphane Leduc
These give it an osmotic pressure which prevents the deleterious effects of a strongly hypotonic liquid.
The Mechanism of Life|Stphane Leduc
Under the influence of such a hypotonic solution the dry cells rapidly swell up, burst, and are dissolved.
The Mechanism of Life|Stphane Leduc
It gains weight in a hypotonic solution, the water current setting towards the point of higher concentration.
The Mechanism of Life|Stphane Leduc

A bipolar field has a hypertonic pole or centre of concentration, and a hypotonic pole or centre of dilution.
The Mechanism of Life|Stphane Leduc

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 forms of hypotonic

hypotonicity (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

Medical 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.

Other words from hypotonic

hy′po•to•nic′i•ty (-tə-nĭs′ĭ-tē) n.