idiopathic

[ id-ee-uh-path-ik ]

See synonyms for idiopathic on Thesaurus.com

adjectivePathology.

of unknown cause, as a disease.

Origin of idiopathic

¹

First recorded in 1660–70; idio- + -pathic

Other words from idiopathic

id·i·o·path·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby idiopathic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use idiopathic in a sentence

This is an idiopathic disease of the blood-making organs, which is accompanied by an enormous increase in number of leukocytes.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
It seems not unlikely that the underlying cause of so-called idiopathic insanity is usually some change within the brain cells.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine | Austin Malley
idiopathic is a word we medical men use to conceal our ignorance of the cause of disease.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine | Austin Malley
idiopathic diseases are those that have come of themselves, that is, without ascertainable cause.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine | Austin Malley
The mental diseases that are of special interest in this respect are the so-called idiopathic insanities.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine | Austin Malley

Scientific definitions for idiopathic

idiopathic

[ ĭd′ē-ə-păth′ĭk ]

Relating to or being a disease having no known cause.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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