hypodermic needle
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A hollow needle: A thin, hollow tube, typically made of metal, with a sharp point at one end. It is designed to be attached to a syringe for injecting substances under the skin (subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or for withdrawing fluids from the body.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The nurse carefully disposed of the used hypodermic needle in a sharps container.
- A hypodermic needle is essential for administering vaccines.
- The doctor used a hypodermic needle to draw a blood sample.
Advanced Usage
- "Hypodermic needle" in media theory: In communication studies, the "hypodermic needle model" (or magic bullet theory) is a metaphor for a model of communication suggesting that an intended message is directly received and wholly accepted by the receiver. This usage is a specialized metaphorical extension of the physical object's concept of direct injection.
- The hypodermic needle theory of media effects is now considered largely outdated.
Variants and Related Words
- Hypodermic syringe (n): The complete assembly consisting of a barrel, plunger, and a hypodermic needle.
- She filled the hypodermic syringe with the prescribed medication.
- Hypo (n, informal): A common informal shortening of "hypodermic needle" or "hypodermic syringe."
- The diabetic patient carried his hypo with him at all times.
Synonyms
- Injection needle: A needle used for injections.
- Syringe needle: A needle that is part of a syringe.
Related Phrases
(Note: "Hypodermic needle" itself is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions. The related actions involve the verb "inject.")
Related Idioms
- "Like a hypodermic needle": Used metaphorically to describe something that is very sharp, precise, or penetrating.
- His criticism was like a hypodermic needle, sharp and getting straight to the point.