clinical

[klin-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. pertaining to a clinic.

2. concerned with or based on actual observation and treatment of disease in patients rather than experimentation or theory.

3. extremely objective and realistic; dispassionately analytic; unemotionally critical.

   She regarded him with clinical detachment.

4. pertaining to or used in a sickroom.

   a clinical bandage.

5. Ecclesiastical.

   1. (of a sacrament) administered on a deathbed or sickbed.

   2. (of a convert or conversion) made on a deathbed or sickbed.

clinical

/ ˈklɪnɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a clinic

2. of or relating to the bedside of a patient, the course of his disease, or the observation and treatment of patients directly

   a clinical lecture

   clinical medicine

3. scientifically detached; strictly objective

   a clinical attitude to life

4. plain, simple, and usually unattractive

   clinical furniture

Other Word Forms

• clinically adverb
• nonclinical adjective
• nonclinically adverb
• overclinical adjective
• overclinically adverb
• semiclinical adjective
• semiclinically adverb
• unclinical adjective
• clinicalness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clinical¹

First recorded in 1770–80; clinic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The trust had carried out "comprehensive clinical reviews of surgery" by Hopper, "including engaging an experienced independent clinical expert to review decisions to operate", they said.

From BBC

Dr Primrose Freestone, an associate professor in clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, says it can lead to symptoms for what is known as sick building syndrome.

From BBC

Wales' line-out continued to malfunction as Canada were given an easy out and the half an hour that followed was a lesson in how to be clinical.

From BBC

Despite popular perception, comedians don’t necessarily suffer more from anxiety than the general population, says clinical psychologist Ildiko Tabori, who specializes in the treatment of comedians.

From Los Angeles Times

Its design will help clinical teams develop "kinder, more effective treatments" for children staying at the hospital.

From BBC

Related Words

• analytic 
• impersonal 
• scientific