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induced

v. · adj.
US //ˌɪnˈdust// UK //ɪndjˈuːst// in·duced
  1. 1 to cause a reaction (v.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    to have caused a specific feeling, state, or physical reaction in someone.

    to have brought about or given rise to a specific psychological or physiological state.

    Example

    The medicine induced a deep sleep that lasted for several hours.

    Example

    The researchers observed that the specific chemical compound induced a rapid stress response in the test subjects, confirming their initial hypothesis.

    Usage

    Often used in scientific or formal contexts to describe cause-and-effect relationships.

  2. 2 medical labor (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    to have used medicine to start the process of giving birth.

    to have initiated the process of childbirth through the administration of drugs or other medical interventions.

    Example

    The doctors decided she should be induced because the baby was two weeks late.

    Example

    Because the patient's blood pressure remained dangerously high, the medical team induced labor to ensure the safety of both mother and child.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the passive voice ('was induced').

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  1. 3 brought about by something (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Academic Science

    describing something that was caused by an outside force rather than happening naturally.

    produced by influence or external stimulation rather than occurring spontaneously.

    Example

    The drug-induced coma helped his brain recover after the accident.

    Example

    The study focused on stress-induced insomnia among healthcare workers during the peak of the winter flu season.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is very common in hyphenated compound adjectives like 'stress-induced' or 'chemically-induced'.

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