pathogenic

[ path-uh-jen-ik ]

/ ˌpæθ əˈdʒɛn ɪk /

adjective

Pathology. capable of producing disease: pathogenic bacteria.

Nearby words

Origin of pathogenic

First recorded in 1850–55; patho- + -genic

Related formsan·ti·path·o·gen·ic, adjectivenon·path·o·gen·ic, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for pathogenic

Pathogenic bacteria from the remains can get into water supplies.
Haiti's Grisly Problem|Cyril Wecht|January 19, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Inoculation experiments showed it to be pathogenic for a number of animal species.
Food Poisoning|Edwin Oakes Jordan
If any of the animals die, make complete post-mortem examinations and endeavour to isolate the pathogenic organisms.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique|John William Henry Eyre
Formamint exerts no selective action in killing off the very delicate organisms which are more apt to be pathogenic.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various

Some weeks later they evolve into the trypanosome forms, pathogenic for man.
Handbook of Medical Entomology|William Albert Riley
The actual number of organisms introduced is also an important factor in determining their pathogenic power.
Manual of Surgery|Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

British Dictionary definitions for pathogenic

pathogenic

/ (ˌpæθəˈdʒɛnɪk) /

adjective

able to cause or produce diseasepathogenic bacteria

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

Word Origin and History for pathogenic

pathogenic

adj.

"producing disease," 1836, from French pathogénique, from Greek pathos "disease" (see pathos) + French -génique "producing" (see -gen). Related: Pathogenetic (1838); pathogenicity.

Medicine definitions for pathogenic

pathogenic

[ păth′ə-jĕn′ĭk ]

adj.

Having the capability to cause disease.

Producing disease.

Relating to pathogenesis.

Related formspath′o•ge•nic′i•ty (-jə-nĭs′ĭ-tē) n.

Culture definitions for pathogenic

pathogenic

[ (path-uh-jen-ik) ]

A descriptive term for a thing or condition that can cause disease.