-pathy

1. a combining form occurring in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “suffering,” “feeling” ( antipathy; sympathy ); in compound words of modern formation, often used with the meaning “morbid affection,” “disease” ( arthropathy; deuteropathy; neuropathy; psychopathy ), and hence used also in names of systems or methods of treating disease ( allopathy; homeopathy; hydropathy; osteopathy ).

-pathy

combining form

1. indicating feeling, sensitivity, or perception

   telepathy

2. indicating disease or a morbid condition

   psychopathy

3. indicating a method of treating disease

   osteopathy

Derived Forms

• -pathic, combining_form:in_adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of -pathy¹

Combining form representing Greek pátheia suffering, feeling, equivalent to páth ( os ) pathos + -eia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of -pathy¹

from Greek patheia suffering; see pathos

Example Sentences

If we are really ill we go to a specialist on our ailment, no matter what “pathy” we prefer.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not orthodox, it belonged to no pathy, and in consequence had the opposition of all branches of the profession.

From Project Gutenberg