English Dictionary |
HYPOTONIC
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
Dictionary entry overview: What does hypotonic mean?
• HYPOTONIC (adjective)
The adjective HYPOTONIC has 2 senses:
1. (of living tissue) lacking normal tone or tension
2. (of a solution) having a lower osmotic pressure than a comparison solution
Familiarity information: HYPOTONIC used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
(of living tissue) lacking normal tone or tension
Antonym:
hypertonic ((of living tissue) in a state of abnormally high tension)
Derivation:
hypotonia; hypotonicity ((of muscular tissue) the state of being hypotonic)
Sense 2
Meaning:
(of a solution) having a lower osmotic pressure than a comparison solution
Antonym:
hypertonic ((of a solution) having a higher osmotic pressure than a comparison solution)
isotonic ((used of solutions) having the same or equal osmotic pressure)
Derivation:
hypotonicity ((of a solution) the extent to which a solution has a lower osmotic pressure than some other)
Context examples
Mutations in the gene are associated with X-linked alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome, mental retardation syndromic X-linked with hypotonic facies syndrome type 1, and alpha-thalassemia myelodysplasia syndrome.
(ATRX wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)
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