Main Entry: hypo-

Variant(s): or hyp-

Function: prefix

Etymology: Late Latin hypo-, hyp-, from Greek, from hypo — more at up

1 : under : beneath : down <hypoblast> <hypodermic>
2 : less than normal or normally <hypesthesia> <hypotension>
3 : in a lower state of oxidation : in a low and usually the lowest position in a series of compounds <hypochlorous acid> <hypoxanthine>