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“idiopathy”
idiopathic, idiopathy
idiopathic (id" ee oh PATH ik, id "ee uh PATH ik) (adjective)
Characterizing something that happens spontaneously or develops from an unknown cause: Pete's brown eyes were idiopathic because everyone else in the family had blue eyes.
Any disease that is of uncertain or unknown origin may be termed idiopathic.
idiopathy (id" ee AHP uh thee) (noun)
1. A disease of indeterminate cause; a spontaneous or primary disease: Lucinda was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which seemed to appear as an idiopathy.
2. Something which happens spontaneously or develops from an unknown cause: The idiopathy of the new gene puzzled everyone in the laboratory.
2. Something which happens spontaneously or develops from an unknown cause: The idiopathy of the new gene puzzled everyone in the laboratory.
The sore on Trina's leg appeared to be idiopathic. The doctors were puzzled especially when another idiopathy with different characteristics erupted on her other leg.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Confusing Words Clarified: Group I; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(page 1)
idiopathy
1. A feeling or sensation peculiar to an individual or class; an individual or personal state of feeling.
2. A disease not preceded or occasioned by any other; a primary disease.
3. A peculiar, or individual, characteristic or affection. "All men are so full of their own fancies and idiopathies, that they scarce have the civility to interchange any words with a stranger." (Dr. H. More)
2. A disease not preceded or occasioned by any other; a primary disease.
3. A peculiar, or individual, characteristic or affection. "All men are so full of their own fancies and idiopathies, that they scarce have the civility to interchange any words with a stranger." (Dr. H. More)