Definition

1. 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  • The hypodermic needle theory of media effects is now considered largely outdated.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.

Noun

1. a hollow needle