haemodilution
|hae-mo-di-lu-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌhiːmoʊdɪˈluːʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌhiːməʊdɪˈluːʃən/
dilution of blood
Etymology
'haemodilution' originates from Greek and Latin, specifically the words 'haima' and 'diluere', where 'haima' meant 'blood' and 'diluere' meant 'to wash away, dilute'.
'haemodilution' was formed in modern medical English by combining the Greek-derived prefix 'haemo-' (from 'haima') with the English noun 'dilution' (from Latin 'diluere'), producing the compound used in clinical contexts.
Initially, the components meant 'blood' and 'to wash away/dilute'; the combined term has long meant 'the dilution of blood' and has retained that specific medical sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the reduction of the concentration of blood cells and solids (especially red blood cells/hematocrit) by adding fluid or replacing withdrawn blood with fluid; a medical procedure or physiological condition in which blood is diluted (often intentionally during surgery to reduce viscosity or blood loss).
During the operation, controlled haemodilution was used to lower the patient's hematocrit and reduce blood viscosity.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/16 10:18