Definition

1. Noun:
   • Abnormally low body temperature: A medical condition where the body's core temperature drops below the level required for normal metabolism and bodily functions (typically below 95°F or 35°C). It is a dangerous state often caused by prolonged exposure to cold.

Usage

• Hypothermia is a serious medical emergency.
• The primary treatment for hypothermia is gradual rewarming.
• It is a condition, not an action or object.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The hikers were at risk of hypothermia after getting lost in the snowstorm.
  • Symptoms of severe hypothermia include confusion and loss of consciousness.
  • Wearing wet clothes in cold wind can quickly lead to hypothermia.

Advanced Usage

• "to develop hypothermia": to begin to suffer from the condition.
  • If you fall into icy water, you can develop hypothermia in minutes.
• "mild/severe/profound hypothermia": terms used to describe the stages or severity of the condition based on core body temperature.
  • The rescue team classified the victim's condition as severe hypothermia.

Variants and Related Words

• Hypothermic (adj): relating to or suffering from hypothermia.
  • The hypothermic patient was wrapped in thermal blankets.

Synonyms

• Subnormal body temperature: (formal/medical) The literal definition of the condition.
• Exposure (in context): Often used informally to mean hypothermia caused by exposure to cold, as in "He died from exposure."

Antonyms

• Hyperthermia: Abnormally high body temperature.
• Fever/Pyrexia: A condition involving elevated body temperature.

Related Phrases

• "Risk of hypothermia": the potential danger of developing the condition.
  • The weather advisory warned of a significant risk of hypothermia for homeless individuals.
• "Hypothermia setting" (on medical devices): a controlled cooling mode used in therapeutic medical procedures.
  • The doctor initiated therapeutic hypothermia after the cardiac arrest to protect the patient's brain.

Noun

1. subnormal body temperature