1
a
: something that settles at the bottom of a fluid
b
: the settling of blood in the dependent parts of an organ or body
2
3
a
: the substance or essential nature of an individual
b
: something that is hypostatized
4
: failure of a gene to produce its usual effect when coupled with another gene that is epistatic toward it

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, substance, sediment, from Greek, support, foundation, substance, sediment, from hyphistasthai to stand under, support, from hypo- + histasthai to be standing — more at stand

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypostasis was in 1590

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hypostasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypostasis. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

hypostasis

noun
1
: the settling of blood in relatively lower parts of an organ or the body due to impaired or absent circulation
the face was discolored by postmortem hypostasis
2
: failure of a gene to produce its usual effect when coupled with another gene that is epistatic toward it
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