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instillation

instillation

8.1
A liquid given in drops for medical use
  • noun
  • /ˌɪnstɪˈleɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : instilación
  • The doctor recommended the instillation of eye drops to relieve the patient's dry eyes.

Examples

  • This resolved with systemic antibiotic therapy and the instillation of antibiotic-steroid eardrops.

    Academic text (1999)
  • In view of its cost-effectiveness and simple administration with easier storage, this study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of normal saline instillation in inducing labor and, if effective, to be considered in areas with limited resources.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Three key points were selected: (1) incorporating, suctioning, and sodium chloride (NaCl) instillation; (2) patient positioning; and (3) interpreting lung dynamics via ventilation loop displays.

    Academic text (2007)
  • For her sinus infection, she received a nasal instillation of a saline solution.

  • During the procedure, the nurse performed a careful instillation of medication to ensure accuracy.

Surface Forms

instillation singular
instillations plural

Morphology

instillation = instill (semi-transparent) = instill + ation

The noun is formed by '-ation' from 'instill', but the sense 'a liquid administered drop by drop' is a metonymic extension from the action to the substance and may not be directly inferable by all learners.

Etymology

Instillation comes from the same Latin parts in- 'into' and stilla 'drop', and it is the same root found in instill and distill. So an instillation can also mean the liquid 'drop' or drops that are given as medicine.