Hypotension
/ˌhaɪpoʊˈtɛn.ʃən/noun
Abnormally low blood pressure.
Did you know?The medical term was built from Greek roots and entered modern English through scientific Latin, showing how ancient language still powers the names of our bodies today.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ten-
“to stretch”
Ancient Greek
Greek
hypo- + teínein
“under + to stretch”
Late Latin / Scientific Latin
Latin
hypotensio
“a lowering or reduction of tension”
19th Century
English
hypotension
“abnormally low arterial blood pressure”
Modern English
English
hypotension
“abnormally low blood pressure”