Overhydrated

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A physiological state characterized by an excessive intake of fluids, resulting in imbalances in electrolytes and potential health risks
2. A medical condition that arises when an individual's water consumption surpasses the kidneys' capacity to eliminate it, risking health complications
3. Having too much water in the body, which disrupts normal electrolyte balance and may cause health issues

Etymology: Overhydrated is built from "over-" and "hydrate," with the latter drawn from the Greek "hydor," meaning water. "Hydrate" entered English as a chemical term for a compound that has combined with water, and the prefix "over-," meaning excessively, was attached to it to describe a body holding too much fluid. The word is therefore a medical-sounding compound assembled from familiar parts rather than a single inherited term. The word's form follows its source as a past participle: "overhydrate" is the verb, and "overhydrated" is the state of having been brought to that condition. Because the verb is itself a compound, the adjective inherits both its prefix and its water-related root without any change in sense.

Synonyms: overwatered

Antonyms: dehydrated, dry