pathological

Also path·o·log·ic

[path-uh-loj-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to pathology, or the science or study of diseases and their causes.

   Research into the pathological origins of alcoholism is ongoing.

2. caused by, indicative of, or involving disease.

   Her white blood cell count had fallen to a pathological level.

3. caused by or evidencing a mentally disturbed condition.

   He is a pathological hoarder.

   They show a pathological lack of concern for the suffering of others.

4. dealing with diseases.

   The neurologist kept a pathological casebook from her practice as a source of examples for lectures.

5. Mathematics.,  designating a phenomenon or object, such as a function, that is logically and correctly defined but has counterintuitive or paradoxical properties.

6. Computers.,  relating to or producing a failed outcome or one that is contrary to what was intended or expected.

   This is just an example of what happens when the algorithm encounters pathological data.

   A pathological input shouldn't break the algorithm.

pathological

/ ˌpæθəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to pathology

2. relating to, involving, or caused by disease

3. informal,  compulsively motivated

   a pathological liar

Other Word Forms

• pathologically adverb
• nonpathologic adjective
• nonpathological adjective
• nonpathologically adverb
• postpathologic adjective
• postpathological adjective
• semipathologic adjective
• semipathological adjective
• semipathologically adverb
• unpathological adjective
• unpathologically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pathological¹

First recorded in 1680–90; from Greek pathologik(ós) ( pathology, -ic ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

"Pathways implicated in addiction also contribute to pathological overeating and obesity," the study says.

Read more on Science Daily

It is hardly pathological to want shared worldviews as part of a romantic relationship.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Video games, beyond their content, can favor pathological aggression, withdrawal, escape from reality and reduction of interests,” the study noted.

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What George was experiencing and doing wasn’t morbid, or weird, or pathological, it was . . . good.

Read more on Salon

Finnigan, the retired detective, attended the virtual hearing and perceived no difference in the “pathological lying sociopath” he began studying in 1979.

Read more on Los Angeles Times