hypermetabolism

noun

hy·​per·​me·​tab·​o·​lism ˌhī-pər-mə-ˈta-bə-ˌli-zəm 

: metabolism at an increased or excessive rate

The drugs inhibit the function of hormones such as epinephrine and other so-called catecholamines, already known to play a major role in posttraumatic hypermetabolism.

—B. Harder

hypermetabolic

ˌhī-pər-ˌme-tə-ˈbä-lik 

adjective

hypermetabolic activity in the enlarged lymph nodes

a hypermetabolic mass

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hypermetabolism

noun

hy·​per·​me·​tab·​o·​lism -mə-ˈtab-ə-ˌliz-əm 

: metabolism at an increased or excessive rate

hypermetabolic

-ˌmet-ə-ˈbäl-ik 

adjective

hypermetabolic states

a hypermetabolic mass