idiopathic

[ id-ee-uh-path-ik ]

adjective

, Pathology.

1. of unknown cause, as a disease.

idiopathic

/ ĭd′ē-ə-păth′ĭk /

1. Relating to or being a disease having no known cause.

Other Words From

• idi·o·pathi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of idiopathic¹

First recorded in 1660–70; idio- + -pathic

Example Sentences

This is an idiopathic disease of the blood-making organs, which is accompanied by an enormous increase in number of leukocytes.

From Project Gutenberg

It seems not unlikely that the underlying cause of so-called idiopathic insanity is usually some change within the brain cells.

From Project Gutenberg

Idiopathic is a word we medical men use to conceal our ignorance of the cause of disease.

From Project Gutenberg

Idiopathic diseases are those that have come of themselves, that is, without ascertainable cause.

From Project Gutenberg

The mental diseases that are of special interest in this respect are the so-called idiopathic insanities.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anonymous
• exotic
• foreign
• nameless
• new
• remote
• strange
• uncharted
• undiscovered
• unexplained
• unexplored
• unfamiliar
• unidentified
• unnamed
• unrecognized