Pathognomonic

C2 16+

Pronunciation: /ˌpæθɒɡˈnɒmɒnɪk/

Definitions of pathognomonic

adjective a term used in medicine to describe a sign or symptom that is specifically characteristic of a particular disease

Example Sentences

A1 The doctor explained that a fever is a pathognomonic symptom of the flu.

A2 She recognized the pathognomonic rash as a sign of the contagious disease.

B1 The presence of a specific antibody is considered pathognomonic for the autoimmune disorder.

B2 The combination of symptoms was pathognomonic of the rare genetic condition.

C1 The pathognomonic mutation in the gene confirmed the diagnosis of the hereditary disease.

C2 The pathognomonic pattern seen on the MRI scan was indicative of a brain tumor.

Examples of pathognomonic in a Sentence

formal The presence of a cherry red spot on the retina is pathognomonic for Tay-Sachs disease.

informal If you see that specific symptom, it's a dead giveaway for Tay-Sachs disease.

slang When you spot that, you know for sure it's Tay-Sachs disease.

figurative Her tears were pathognomonic of her deep sadness.

Grammatical Forms of pathognomonic

past tense

pathognomoniced

plural

pathognomonics

comparative

more pathognomonic

superlative

most pathognomonic

present tense

pathognomonic

future tense

will be pathognomonic

perfect tense

have been pathognomonic

continuous tense

is being pathognomonic

singular

pathognomonic

positive degree

pathognomonic

infinitive

to be pathognomonic

gerund

pathognomonicing

participle

pathognomoniced

Origin and Evolution of pathognomonic

First Known Use: 1806 year
Language of Origin: Greek
Story behind the word: The word 'pathognomonic' originated from the Greek words 'pathos' meaning 'suffering' and 'gnomon' meaning 'judge'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in medicine to describe a sign or symptom that is specifically characteristic of a particular disease, the term has evolved to also be used in a broader sense to indicate something that is uniquely indicative of a specific condition or situation.