English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

hyperlexia

noun

The unusual ability of a very young child to read single words early.

hyperlink

noun

A piece of text or a graphic in an electronic document that you can activate to open another document or start an action.

hypermarket

noun

A shop combining elements of a department store and a supermarket.

hypermetropic

adj

Relating to, or affected by, long-sightedness.

hypernym

noun

A word whose meaning includes the meanings of more specific words, as "insect" does for "ant".

hyperopia

noun

(medicine) A sight problem in which the eye focuses light behind the retina, so nearby things look less clear than distant ones.

hyperopic

adj

Long-sighted, or relating to long-sightedness.

hyperoxemia

noun

An excessively high amount of oxygen present in the bloodstream.

hypersensitive

adj

Reacting unusually strongly to certain substances, especially an allergen.

hypersexuality

noun

(medicine) An unusually strong interest in sex, severe enough to be seen as a medical issue.

hyperspace

noun

In science fiction, an alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.

hyperspatial

adj

Relating to hyperspace.

hypertapping

noun

A method in which a player tenses their bicep until it shakes, pressing the D-pad more than ten times a second, so that falling blocks can be shifted sideways quicker than simply holding the button down.

hypertension

noun

A medical condition of persistently high blood pressure.

hypertensive

adj

(medicine) Relating to, or causing, high blood pressure.

hypertext

noun

Digital text containing embedded links that let a reader move between related pieces of information.

hyperthyroidism

noun

A condition in which the thyroid gland produces and releases too much thyroid hormone.

hypertonic

adj

(chemistry) Having a higher osmotic pressure than something it is compared with.

hypertrophy

noun

An increase in the size of a tissue or organ caused by its cells growing larger rather than multiplying — in everyday use, the growth of muscle in response to training.

hyperventilating

verb

Breathing faster and more deeply than the body needs, so that too much carbon dioxide is lost — often during panic or anxiety, causing dizziness, tingling in the hands and a feeling of breathlessness.

hyphen

noun

The punctuation mark "-", used to join parts of a compound word or show that a word carries on at the start of the next line.

hypnopompic

adj

Relating to the drowsy state just before someone is fully awake.

hypnosis

noun

A trance-like state, usually brought on deliberately, in which a person becomes highly open to suggestion.

hypnotic

adjective

Relating to hypnosis, or having a trance-like, mesmerizing effect.

hypnotise

verb

To put someone into a hypnotic trance.

hypnotism

noun

The practice or technique of inducing hypnosis in someone.

hypnotist

noun

Someone who practices hypnotism, whether for entertainment or therapy.

hypnotize

verb

To put someone into a state of hypnosis.

hypnotized

adjective

In a state of hypnosis.

hypnotizer

noun

A person or thing that hypnotises.

hypo

noun

Informal short form of "hypodermic," referring to a syringe or injection.

hypoactive

adj

(medicine) Less active than is normal.

hypocaust

noun

(history) A space or channel under a floor that carried heat from a furnace to warm a room or bath.

hypochondria

noun

Excessive worry about having a serious illness, once treated as a psychological disorder in its own right but no longer a current medical diagnosis.

hypochondriac

noun

A person who is excessively and persistently worried about having a serious illness, despite little or no medical evidence.

hypocorism

noun

An affectionate name for someone, often in diminutive form; a pet name.

hypocrisy

noun

Claiming to have beliefs, standards, or virtues that one's own actions contradict.

hypocrite

noun

Someone whose actions contradict the beliefs or values they claim to hold.

Hypocrites

name

The name of the Qur'an's sixty-third sura, or chapter.

hypocritical

adjective

Showing hypocrisy; saying one thing while doing another.

hypodermic

adjective

Relating to the area just beneath the skin, especially injections given there.

hypoglycemia

noun

A blood glucose level that is lower than normal.

hyponym

noun

(linguistics) A word whose meaning is more specific than, and falls under, another, broader word.

hypophysis

noun

(anatomy) Another name for the pituitary gland.

hypotension

noun

A condition in which blood pressure is lower than it should be.

hypotensive

adjective

Relating to or causing abnormally low blood pressure.

hypotenuse

noun

The longest side of a right triangle, opposite the right angle.

hypothalamus

noun

A small region of the brain, below the thalamus, that regulates body temperature, hunger, and other basic functions.

hypothec

noun

(Scots law) A Scottish landlord's legal claim on a tenant's livestock, equipment and crops as security for unpaid rent.

hypothecate

verb

To offer something as security for a loan, for example by pawning or mortgaging it.

hypothermia

noun

A dangerously low body temperature, typically caused by prolonged exposure to cold.

hypothermic

adjective

Suffering from hypothermia; having a dangerously low body temperature.

hypothesis

noun

A proposed explanation for something that can be tested through further study or experiment.

hypothesise

verb

A non-Oxford British English standard spelling of hypothesize.

hypothesize

verb

To suggest an idea as a possible explanation, without being sure it is true.

hypothetical

adjective

Based on a supposition rather than actual fact; imagined for the sake of argument.

hypothetically

adverb

In a way based on supposition rather than fact; as a "what if."

hypothyroidism

noun

A disease caused by the thyroid gland not producing enough thyroid hormone.

hypotonic

adj

Having weaker osmotic pressure than something it is compared with.

hypotrophy

noun

(medicine) A decline in how well an organ works, caused by its cells shrinking.

hypoxemia

noun

A lower than normal level of oxygen in the blood, however it is measured.

hypoxia

noun

A condition in which the body's tissues don't get enough oxygen.

hypoxic

adj

Relating to, or affected by, a lack of oxygen in the body.

hyrax

noun

A small, stocky mammal with a bulky body and fang-like front teeth, native to Africa and the Middle East.

hyssop

noun

An aromatic bushy herb of the genus Hyssopus, native to Southern Europe, once used as a medicinal plant.

hysterectomy

noun

A surgical operation to remove all or part of the uterus.

hysteria

noun

A state of extreme, uncontrollable emotion, ranging from panic to wild excitement.

hysteric

adj

Connected with, or affected by, hysteria.

hysterical

adjective

Overcome with extreme, uncontrollable emotion, especially fear or distress.

hysterically

adverb

In an uncontrollably emotional way.

hysterics

noun

A fit of uncontrollable emotion, especially crying, laughing, or panic.

Hyun

name

A Korean surname.

Hyundai

noun

A South Korean car brand, or a vehicle made by that company.

hyung

noun

A Korean term used by a man to address or refer to an older brother or a close older male friend.