Hypertensions

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A condition characterized by abnormally high blood pressure that can lead to serious health issues
2. A state of excessive tension or stress, both physically and psychologically
3. The overarching term for multiple types of heightened pressure, particularly in medical and psychological contexts

Etymology: "Hypertensions" is simply the plural of "hypertension," so the story is that of the singular. The word combines "hyper-," from Ancient Greek "huper" meaning "over" or "beyond," with "tension," which came into English by way of Middle French from Latin "tensio," a noun from "tendere," "to stretch." Literally, then, it describes something stretched beyond its normal limit. The Greek prefix was used in English long before medicine adopted it, and "hyper-" survives in plenty of ordinary words such as "hyperactive" and "hyperlink." The blood-pressure sense is a modern technical application: the word was built from familiar parts to name a condition defined by pressure rising above its normal range.

Synonyms: high blood pressure