removal of some amniotic fluid by the insertion into the womb of a hollow needle, for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes
Word origin
C20: from amnion + centesis, from Greek kentēsis a puncture, from kentein to prick
amnio in American English
(ˈæmniˌou)
nounWord forms: plural-nios
informal
amniocentesis
Word origin
[1985–90; by shortening]This word is first recorded in the period 1985–90. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: WIMP, antisense, codependent, cohousing, smiley
Examples of 'amnio' in a sentence
amnio
I was advised to have an amnio test in both pregnancies because of my age.