epiphenomenon

[ ep-uh-fuh-nom-uh-non, -nuhn ]

noun

, plural ep·i·phe·nom·e·na [ep-, uh, -f, uh, -, nom, -, uh, -n, uh], ep·i·phe·nom·e·nons.

1. Pathology. a secondary or additional symptom or complication arising during the course of a disease.
2. any secondary phenomenon.

epiphenomenon

/ ˌɛpɪfɪˈnɒmɪnən /

noun

1. a secondary or additional phenomenon; by-product
2. pathol an unexpected or atypical symptom or occurrence during the course of a disease

Derived Forms

• ˌepipheˈnomenal, adjective
• ˌepipheˈnomenally, adverb

Other Words From

• epi·phe·nome·nal adjective
• epi·phe·nome·nal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of epiphenomenon¹

First recorded in 1700–10; epi- + phenomenon

Example Sentences

Setting aside a few high-minded boycotters — themselves a persistent epiphenomenon of late capitalism — the world will still watch the games.

From Salon

Physicists, notably Eugene Wigner and John Wheeler, have speculated that consciousness, far from being a mere epiphenomenon of matter, is an essential component of reality.

From Scientific American

I confess to a certain discomfort in arguing that conscious deliberation is strictly an epiphenomenon that plays no role in our decision-making.

From Salon

Life, according to Crick, was an epiphenomenon of physics and chemistry — complex, yes, but still explicable in molecular terms.

From New York Times

Though Zadra and Stickgold reject the idea that dreams are random epiphenomena, they also stress that dreams only rarely replay or resolve actual life situations.

From Washington Post