pathognomonic

[ puh-thog-nuh-mon-ik ]

adjective

Medicine/Medical. characteristic or diagnostic of a specific disease: a pathognomonic sign of pneumonia.

Origin of pathognomonic

First recorded in 1615–25, pathognomonic is from the Greek word pathognōmonikós skilled in judging disease. See patho-, gnomon, -ic

Other words from pathognomonic

pa·thog·no·mon·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby pathognomonic

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

How to use pathognomonic in a sentence

The possibility of a stone being present should not be hinted to the patient until some definite pathognomonic sign is discovered.
Psychotherapy | James J. Walsh
Many scorbutic cases, however, lack this so-called pathognomonic feature.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I | Various
They are not pathognomonic of any one malady, although often referred to the gouty diathesis.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I | Various
Paroxysms of coughing, with or without whooping, are pathognomonic of pertussis.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I | Various
Of all the symptoms of measles, the catarrh of the mucous membranes is undoubtedly the most pathognomonic.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I | Various

British Dictionary definitions for pathognomonic

pathognomonic

/ (ˌpæθəɡnəˈmɒnɪk) /

adjective

pathol characteristic or indicative of a particular disease

Origin of pathognomonic

C17: from Greek pathognōmonikos expert in judging illness, from patho- + gnōmōn judge

Derived forms of pathognomonic

pathognomonically, 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

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