pathognomonic

American  

[puh-thog-nuh-mon-ik] / pəˌθɒg nəˈmɒn ɪk /

adjective

1. Medicine/Medical. characteristic or diagnostic of a specific disease.

   a pathognomonic sign of pneumonia.

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pathognomonic British  

/ ˌpæθəɡnəˈmɒnɪk /

adjective

1. pathol characteristic or indicative of a particular disease

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Other Word Forms

• pathognomonically adverb

Etymology

Origin of pathognomonic

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

Example Sentences

Bradshaw concluded their respective symptoms, even though they could only be observed externally, “were pathognomonic for dissociative and attachment disorders and for Complex PTSD.”

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2024

It may be regarded as pathognomonic of variola.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

The manner of the progression is pathognomonic of the complaint.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.

The possibility of a stone being present should not be hinted to the patient until some definite pathognomonic sign is discovered.

From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

Purring thrill.—This, the pathognomonic sign of either condition, was always present in the fully developed stage, and is probably present from the first unless a temporary thrombosis obstructs the vascular openings.

From Surgical Experiences in South Africa, 1899-1900 Being Mainly a Clinical Study of the Nature and Effects of Injuries Produced by Bullets of Small Calibre by Makins, George Henry