antihemolytic
|an-ti-he-mo-lyt-ic|
/ˌæn.ti.hiː.məˈlɪtɪk/
prevents red blood cell destruction
Etymology
'anti-' originates from Greek, specifically the element 'anti-' meaning 'against', and 'hemolytic' derives from New Latin/Greek: Greek 'haima' (haem-/hem-) meaning 'blood' plus 'lysis' meaning 'loosening' or 'destruction'.
'hemolysis' was formed in New Latin/modern medical terminology in the 19th century from Greek 'haima' + 'lysis', producing 'hemolytic' as the adjective; 'antihemolytic' was later coined in modern English medical usage by combining the prefix 'anti-' with 'hemolytic'.
Initially constructed to mean 'against hemolysis' (literally 'against blood destruction'), it has retained that sense and is now used specifically to mean 'preventing or reducing the destruction of red blood cells'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substance or agent that prevents or reduces hemolysis.
The doctor prescribed an antihemolytic to help stabilize the patient's red blood cells.
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Adjective 1
preventing or inhibiting hemolysis (the destruction or rupture of red blood cells).
Antihemolytic therapy reduced the rate of red blood cell destruction in the study group.
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Last updated: 2025/09/01 23:43