Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Wiktionary
a. (context medicine English) Administered by some means other than oral or rectal intake, particularly intravenously or by injection.
WordNet
adj. administered by means other than through the alimentary tract (as by intramuscular or intravenous injection)
located outside the alimentary tract
Usage examples of "parenteral".
X rays, scans, shunts, sutures, intravenous feedings, parenteral nutritional supplements, respiratory therapy, and, finally, the autopsy.
No one questioned when she walked into the storeroom where the parenteral or intravenous fluids were kept.
He fumbled, trying to tear open a syringe packet, while Stephanie removed the cap covering the rubber stopper on the parenteral medication vial.
We'll continue with hyperbaric oxygen therapy twice a day, and I recommend total parenteral nutrition.