An epidural is a type of anaesthetic which is injected into a person's spine so that they cannot feel anything from the waist downwards. Epidurals are sometimes given to women when they are giving birth.
epidural in British English
(ˌɛpɪˈdjʊərəl)
adjective
1. Also: extradural
upon or outside the dura mater
noun
2. Also called: epidural anaesthesia
a.
injection of anaesthetic into the space outside the dura mater enveloping the spinal cord
b.
anaesthesia induced by this method
Word origin
C19: from epi- + dur(a mater) + -al1
epidural in American English
(ˌɛpəˈdʊrəl; ˌɛpəˈdjʊrəl)
adjective
1.
on or outside the dura mater
noun
2.
anesthesia of the lower part of the body, by the epidural injection of a local anesthetic
: in full epidural anesthesia
Word origin
epi- + dura mater + -al
epidural in the Pharmaceutical Industry
(ɛpidʊərəl)
adjective
(Pharmaceutical: Physiology)
An epidural administration of a drug is one that is injected into the space beneath the dura mater (= the outermost membrane covering the spine).
COLLOCATIONS: ~ injection~ administration~ drug delivery system
An epidural injection into the space outside the dura mater may be used to alleviate low backpain.
An epidural anesthetic is injected into the space around the spinal cord and blocks pain in thepelvic area.
An epidural administration of a drug is one that is injected into the space beneath the duramater.
Examples of 'epidural' in a sentence
epidural
Please, give me an epidural.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
She wanted an epidural and she wanted it now.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He pioneered the use of epidural anaesthesia which has freed so many women from the pains of childbirth.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There was the dark ribbon of my spinal cord, within the white channel of epidural space inside the vertebrae.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Most Caesarean are now done under epidural or spinal anaesthesia, not general anaesthetic.
The Sun (2010)
If this doesn't work after six weeks, ask for an epidural injection to numb inflamed nerves.
The Sun (2014)
The proportion of mothers receiving an epidural injection or spinal anaesthetic has doubled in 20 years to around 37 per cent.