hypodermic
/ˌhaɪpəˈdɜːmɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌhaɪpəˈdɜːrmɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌhī-pə-ˈdər-mik/ (ame, mw)
hypodermic — adjective
- hypodermicpositive
- more hypodermiccomparative
- most hypodermicsuperlative
1. used to describe a medical tool, especially a needle or syringe, that pushes liq
used to describe a medical tool, especially a needle or syringe, that pushes liquid medicine through the skin into the body.
The nurse Yuna prepared a hypodermic needle to give Pedro his flu shot.
collocation: hypodermic needle
Hospitals must dispose of used hypodermic syringes in special yellow containers.
collocation: hypodermic syringe
Doctors use a thin hypodermic needle to take blood from a vein in the arm.
Imran felt a sharp prick when the dentist slid the hypodermic syringe near his gum.
Each hypodermic needle is sealed in plastic so that no germs can reach it before use.
- subcutaneous
more technical; describes the layer of skin where the medicine goes
- injectable
describes what can be put in by needle; broader than the tool itself
文法句型
hypodermic + noun
用法筆記
Almost always attributive — appears directly before a noun like needle, syringe, or injection. Rarely used after the verb 'be'.
常見錯誤
2. describing the layer of tissue or the body parts that lie just below the surface
describing the layer of tissue or the body parts that lie just below the surface of the skin.
Dr. Mei studies how the hypodermic fat layer keeps small animals warm during winter.
anatomical/scientific register
Surgeons mapped the hypodermic blood vessels in Christopher's leg before the operation.
formal anatomical context
The biology textbook explained how nerves in the hypodermic tissue send signals about heat and cold.
Noa learned at medical school that hypodermic structures vary in thickness across different body areas.
- subcutaneous
the standard modern medical term; more frequent than 'hypodermic' in this sense
- subdermal
literally 'below the dermis'; close in meaning but slightly more technical
- epidermal
of the top layer of skin, not the layer beneath
文法句型
hypodermic + body-part noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 — this sense describes the body itself (tissue, fat, blood vessels), not a medical tool. Common partners: tissue, fat, layer, vessels.
常見錯誤
hypodermic — noun
1. a dose of medicine that is pushed through the skin using a needle and syringe.
a dose of medicine that is pushed through the skin using a needle and syringe.
The vet gave the nervous puppy a quick hypodermic to calm it before the X-ray.
give + a hypodermic
Adaeze received a hypodermic in the upper arm after stepping on a rusty nail.
receive + a hypodermic
Most patients fear the moment when the doctor lifts the needle to give the hypodermic.
A single hypodermic of strong painkiller helped Esme sleep through the night after surgery.
文法句型
give/receive + a hypodermic
用法筆記
Often appears with 'give' (the doctor) or 'receive' (the patient). Less common than 'injection' in everyday speech; more frequent in older medical writing.
常見錯誤
2. a tube with a needle attached, used by medical staff to push liquid medicine thr
a tube with a needle attached, used by medical staff to push liquid medicine through the skin into the body.
Heloísa pulled the clear cap off the hypodermic and tapped the side to remove tiny air bubbles.
physical handling of the device
A used hypodermic was found on the park bench, and the cleaning team called the city for safe pickup.
passive: a + hypodermic + was found
The school nurse keeps a small box of hypodermics locked in the cabinet beside the first-aid kit.
Ingrid loaded the hypodermic with insulin and rolled up her sleeve before her morning injection.
文法句型
a + hypodermic
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 — sense 1 is the dose, this sense is the device itself. Often shortened from the full phrase 'hypodermic syringe'.