defibrillate

English

Etymology

From de- +‎ fibrillate.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /diːˈfɪbɹɪleɪt/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Verb

defibrillate (third-person singular simple present defibrillates, present participle defibrillating, simple past and past participle defibrillated)

  1. (cardiology, transitive) To stop the fibrillation of the heart in order to restore normal contractions, especially by the use of an electric shock.
    • 1999, Artbyte, volume 2:
      Dynamic typography reinvigorates the storytelling genre by anthropomorphizing fonts, defibrillating calligraphy, creating rhythmic, ambient moodscapes without sacrificing speed or lushness.
    • 2011, Laurence Street, Introduction to Biomedical Engineering Technology, page 125:
      Though occasionally a “flatliner” can be revived with a defib, it is most commonly used to change the uncoordinated contractions of the heart (fibrillation) into a normal sinus rhythm—that is, to defibrillate the heart.

Derived terms

Translations

Italian

Etymology 1

Verb

defibrillate

  1. inflection of defibrillare:
    1. second-person plural present indicative
    2. second-person plural imperative

Etymology 2

Participle

defibrillate f pl

  1. feminine plural of defibrillato