What is indicated by the prefix "hyper-"?

The prefix "hyper-" is derived from Greek, meaning "over," "beyond," or "excessive." This prefix is commonly used in medical terminology to describe conditions that involve an increased level or degree of something. For example, "hypertension" refers to high blood pressure, indicating an excessive level of pressure in the blood vessels. Thus, the correct understanding of "hyper-" directly relates to its association with an increased or excessive state, making this choice accurate in the context of medical definitions.

The other options do not align with the definition of "hyper-." The meanings attributed to them, such as lacking or hard, do not reflect the prefix's connotation of excess or increase, which is fundamental in many medical applications.