path

¹

[ path, pahth ]

noun

, plural paths [pa, th, z, pah, th, z, paths, pahths].

1. a way beaten, formed, or trodden by the feet of persons or animals.

   Synonyms: pathway, footpath

2. a narrow walk or way:

   a path through a garden; a bicycle path.

3. a route, course, or track along which something moves:

   the path of a hurricane.

4. a course of action, conduct, or procedure:

   the path of righteousness.

5. Mathematics. a continuous curve that connects two or more points.
6. Computers. the sequence of steps that a computer follows in carrying out a routine, as in storing and retrieving a file at a specific location.

path-

²

1. variant of patho- before a vowel:

   pathosis.

-path

³

1. a combining form occurring in personal nouns corresponding to abstract nouns ending in -pathy, with the general sense “one practicing such a treatment” ( osteopath ) or “one having such an ailment” ( psychopath ).

path.

⁴

abbreviation for

1. pathological.
2. pathology.

path

¹

/ pɑːθ /

noun

1. a road or way, esp a narrow trodden track
2. a surfaced walk, as through a garden
3. the course or direction in which something moves

   the path of a whirlwind

4. a course of conduct

   the path of virtue

5. computing the directions for reaching a particular file or directory, as traced hierarchically through each of the parent directories usually from the root; the file or directoryand all parent directories are separated from one another in the path by slashes

path.

²

/ pæθ /

abbreviation for

1. pathological
2. pathology

-path

³

combining form

1. denoting a person suffering from a specified disease or disorder

   neuropath

2. denoting a practitioner of a particular method of treatment

   osteopath

Derived Forms

• ˈpathless, adjective

Other Words From

• multi·path noun
• outpath noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of path¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English pæth; cognate with German Pfad

Word History and Origins

Origin of path¹

Old English pæth; related to Old High German, German Pfad

Origin of path²

back formation from -pathy

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cross one's path, to encounter or meet unexpectedly:

   Tragedy crossed our path again.

More idioms and phrases containing path

see beat a path to someone's door ; cross someone's path ; lead down the garden path ; least resistance, path of ; on the warpath .

Synonym Study

Path, lane, trail are passages or routes not as wide as a way or road. A path is a way for passing on foot; a track, beaten by feet, not specially constructed, is often along the side of a road: a path through a field. A lane is a narrow road or track, generally between fields, often enclosed with fences or trees; sometimes it is an alley or narrow road between buildings in towns: a lane leading to a farmhouse; Drury Lane. A trail is a rough way made or worn through woods, or across mountains, prairies, or other untraveled regions: an Indian trail.

Example Sentences

We see detoxing as a path to transcendence, a symbol of modern urban virtue and self-transformation through abstinence.

From The Daily Beast

The anti-crime cops began searching the likely path of flight.

From The Daily Beast

Senhor José remains stationary, but this lengthy series of clauses propels the reader along an unmarked path.

From The Daily Beast

The flight path remained close to the Indonesian archipelago, well within what is the normal reach of air traffic control radar.

From The Daily Beast

My trip takes the reverse path, and I begin by assessing the depth of my Shakespeare knowledge in his birthplace.

From The Daily Beast

"But I can't stop to argue about it now;" and, saying this, he turned into a side path, and disappeared in the wood.

From Project Gutenberg

I presume this path does not extend many miles without meeting impediments.

From Project Gutenberg

She had been walking alone with her arms hanging limp, letting her white skirts trail along the dewy path.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly his quick eye lit on something in the gravel path and his heart gave a great leap.

From Project Gutenberg

Squinty went this way and that through the woods, but he could not find the path that led to his pen.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aisle
• avenue
• direction
• highway
• lane
• line
• passage
• pathway
• procedure
• rail
• road
• roadway
• route
• street
• track
• trail
• walkway