epiphenomenon

[ ep-uh-fuh-nom-uh-non, -nuh n ]

/ ˌɛp ə fəˈnɒm əˌnɒn, -nən /

noun, plural ep·i·phe·nom·e·na [ep-uh-fuh-nom-uh-nuh] /ˌɛp ə fəˈnɒm ə nə/, ep·i·phe·nom·e·nons.

Pathology. a secondary or additional symptom or complication arising during the course of a disease.

any secondary phenomenon.

Nearby words

epiphania, epiphanize, epiphany, epipharynx, epiphenomenalism, epiphenomenon, epiphloedal, epiphonema, epiphora, epiphragm, epiphylaxis

Origin of epiphenomenon

First recorded in 1700–10; epi- + phenomenon

Related forms

ep·i·phe·nom·e·nal, adjectiveep·i·phe·nom·e·nal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for epiphenomenon

But some demon prompted me to inquire of my father the meaning of the term “epiphenomenon.”
The Jessica Letters: An Editor's Romance|Paul Elmer More
The term "epiphenomenon" has been adopted to express the distinctness but entire dependence of the mind.
The Approach to Philosophy|Ralph Barton Perry
And more than one modern has called it an epiphenomenon—an absurd term.
Tragic Sense Of Life|Miguel de Unamuno

British Dictionary definitions for epiphenomenon

epiphenomenon

/ (ˌɛpɪfɪˈnɒmɪnən) /

noun plural -na (-nə)

a secondary or additional phenomenon; by-product

pathol an unexpected or atypical symptom or occurrence during the course of a disease

Derived Forms

epiphenomenal, adjectiveepiphenomenally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for epiphenomenon

epiphenomenon

[ ĕp′ə-fĭ-nŏm′ə-nŏn′ ]

n.

An additional condition or symptom in the course of a disease, not necessarily connected with the disease.