epidural

[ ep-i-door-uhl, -dyoor- ]

adjective

1. Anatomy. situated on or outside the dura mater.

noun

1. Pharmacology. epidural anesthesia.

epidural

/ ˌɛpɪˈdjʊərəl /

adjective

1. Alsoextradural upon or outside the dura mater

noun

1. Also calledepidural anaesthesia
   1. injection of anaesthetic into the space outside the dura mater enveloping the spinal cord
   2. anaesthesia induced by this method

epidural

/ ĕp′ĭ-dr′əl /

Adjective

1. Located on or over the dura mater.

Noun

1. An injection into the epidural space of the spine, as an epidural anesthetic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of epidural¹

1880–85; < epi- + dur(a mater) + -al ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of epidural¹

C19: from epi- + dur ( a mater ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

As pain, tiredness and stress are triggers, she planned for an early epidural to block pain during the birth.

From BBC

But after nine hours of labour and a failed epidural, she walked back through the hospital pregnancy suite "with an empty car seat and no daughter".

From BBC

The only time she had an epidural — which she described as “great” in the article — was when Daniel was not present for the birth of the child.

From Los Angeles Times

When his surgeon carried out this procedure, Van Schoor requested an epidural instead of a general anaesthetic - so he could watch them remove his legs.

From BBC

The tiger was given a variety of pain medications, including an epidural, laser therapy and acupuncture, to treat his discomfort before he was euthanized over the weekend, Point Defiance said in a statement Monday.

From Seattle Times