pathological

[ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌpathoˈlogically, adverb

Other Words From

• path·o·log·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·path·o·log·ic adjective
• non·path·o·log·i·cal adjective
• non·path·o·log·i·cal·ly adverb
• post·path·o·log·ic adjective
• post·path·o·log·i·cal adjective
• sem·i·path·o·log·ic adjective
• sem·i·path·o·log·i·cal adjective
• sem·i·path·o·log·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·path·o·log·i·cal adjective
• un·path·o·log·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pathological¹

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

Example Sentences

It could also pave the way for a better understanding of the pathological mechanisms underlying certain skin diseases, such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.

From Science Daily

He's already a convicted felon, a fraudster, a sexual assaulter, a proven pathological liar who stole classified documents and refused to give them back so it's hard to imagine what that might be.

From Salon

It was an obvious case of pathological mansplaining.

From Los Angeles Times

When he gets on these news programs he does a masterful job of explaining, in a detailed way with the evidence, how dangerously pathological Trump appears to be.

From Salon

Here’s a pathological liar who speaks falsely about practically everything.

From Los Angeles Times