hypodermic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to the region beneath the skin, especially to an injection given there

   The nurse used a fine hypodermic needle to deliver the medication beneath the skin.

2. 2
   noun

   a hypodermic syringe, needle, or injection

   The doctor prepared a sterile hypodermic before approaching the patient.

Formed from hypo- ("under") + derm ("skin") + -ic, using elements from Ancient Greek hypo and derma. The adjective literally means "under the skin"; the noun arose by shortening hypodermic syringe or hypodermic injection.

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