IV
|I-V|
/ˌaɪˈviː/
within the vein; the letters I–V
Etymology
'IV' originates as a modern English abbreviation of the adjective 'intravenous', which ultimately comes from Latin 'intrā' (within) + 'vena' (vein) via Late Latin 'intravenosus'.
'intravenous' entered English from Late Latin 'intravenosus' (formed from 'intra-' + 'vena'), and over time the full word was commonly shortened in medical contexts to the abbreviation 'IV'.
Originally meaning 'within the vein' in a literal sense, it evolved to mean 'administered into a vein' and, in modern medical usage, is commonly represented by the abbreviation 'IV' for both the route and the apparatus (and coincidentally also matches the Roman numeral for 4).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an abbreviation for an intravenous catheter/line or the infusion given through it; a tube/needle placed into a vein to deliver fluids or medication.
The patient had an IV inserted to receive fluids.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the Roman numeral 'IV', representing the number four.
Chapter IV describes the experimental results.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
abbreviation of 'intravenous'; relating to or administered into a vein.
He received IV antibiotics after the operation.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/26 13:50