parenteral

adjective par·en·ter·al \pə-ˈren-tə-rəl\

Definition of PARENTERAL

: situated or occurring outside the intestine; especially : introduced otherwise than by way of the intestines

— par·en·ter·al·ly \-rə-lē\ adverb

International Scientific Vocabulary para- + enteral

First Known Use: circa 1910

Next Word in the Dictionary: parenthesisPrevious Word in the Dictionary: parentelicAll Words Near: parenteral

What made you want to look up parenteral? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears