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 

• HYPOTONIC (adjective)

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)