hypertonic

[ hahy-per-ton-ik ]

adjective
  1. Physiology. of or relating to hypertonia.

  2. Physical Chemistry. noting a solution of higher osmotic pressure than another solution with which it is compared (opposed to hypotonic).: Compare isotonic (def. 1).

Origin of hypertonic

1
First recorded in 1850–55; hyperton(ia) + -ic

Other words from hypertonic

  • hy·per·to·nic·i·ty [hahy-per-toh-nis-i-tee], /ˌhaɪ pər toʊˈnɪs ɪ ti/, noun

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British Dictionary definitions for hypertonic

hypertonic

/ (ˌhaɪpəˈtɒnɪk) /


adjective
  1. (esp of muscles) being in a state of abnormally high tension

  2. (of a solution) having a higher osmotic pressure than that of a specified, generally physiological, solution: Compare hypotonic, isotonic

Derived forms of hypertonic

  • hypertonicity (ˌhaɪpətəʊˈnɪsɪtɪ), noun

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