hypo

¹

[ hahy-poh ]

noun

, plural hy·pos.

1. a hypodermic syringe or injection.
2. a stimulus or boost.

verb (used with object)

1. to administer a hypodermic injection to.
2. to stimulate by or as if by administering a hypodermic injection.
3. to increase, boost, or augment:

   to hypo the car's power by installing a bigger engine.

hypo

²

[ hahy-poh ]

noun

1. sodium thiosulfate.

hypo

³

[ hahy-poh ]

noun

, Archaic.

1. hypochondria.

hypo-

⁴

1. a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “under” ( hypostasis ); on this model used, especially as opposed to hyper-, in the formation of compound words ( hypothyroid ).

hypo

¹

/ ˈhaɪpəʊ /

noun

1. short for hypodermic syringe

hypo

²

/ ˈhaɪpəʊ /

noun

1. another name for sodium thiosulphate, esp when used as a fixer in photographic developing

hypo-

³

prefix

1. under, beneath, or below

   hypodermic

2. lower; at a lower point

   hypogastrium

3. less than

   hypoploid

4. (in medicine) denoting a deficiency or an abnormally low level

   hypothyroid

   hypoglycaemia

5. incomplete or partial

   hypoplasia

6. indicating that a chemical compound contains an element in a lower oxidation state than usual

   hypochlorous acid

Hypo-

⁴

prefix

1. indicating a plagal mode in music

   Hypodorian

hypo–

1. A prefix that means “beneath“ or “below,” as in hypodermic, below the skin. It also means “less than normal,” especially in medical terms like hypoglycemia. In the names of chemical compounds, it means “at the lowest state of oxidation,” as in sodium hypochlorite.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypo¹

First recorded in 1900–05; by shortening of hypodermic; sense “stimulate” perhaps by association with hype ¹; -o

Origin of hypo²

First recorded in 1855–60; shortening of hyposulfite

Origin of hypo³

First recorded in 1700–10; by shortening

Origin of hypo⁴

< Greek, combining form of hypó under (preposition), below (adv.); cognate with Latin sub ( sub- ); up

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypo¹

C19: shortened from hyposulphite

Origin of hypo²

from Greek, from hupo under

Origin of hypo³

from Greek: beneath (it lies a fourth below the corresponding authentic mode)

Example Sentences

And because the effects of being drunk can resemble the symptoms of a hypo, Esther says it's important for you and your mates to know what to watch for.

From BBC

The justices often use “hypos” to test legal theories and the limits of a party’s argument.

From Washington Post

The tobacco, spoon, hypo, cotton swab and matches were to satisfy Holmes’s vilest habits, often indulged after a successful deduction.

From Washington Post

Being halfway up a mountain when you have a hypo - a low-blood sugar episode that can cause dizziness, disorientation and even unconsciousness - is far from ideal.

From BBC

You can learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of hypo- and hyperthyroidism in our eGuide to Thyroid Hormones.

From Seattle Times