pathognomonic

[ puh-thog-nuh-mon-ik ]

adjective

1. Medicine/Medical. characteristic or diagnostic of a specific disease:

   a pathognomonic sign of pneumonia.

pathognomonic

/ ˌpæθəɡnəˈmɒnɪk /

adjective

1. pathol characteristic or indicative of a particular disease

Derived Forms

• ˌpathognoˈmonically, adverb

Other Words From

• pa·thogno·moni·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pathognomonic¹

First recorded in 1615–25, pathognomonic is from the Greek word pathognōmonikós skilled in judging disease. See patho-, gnomon, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of pathognomonic¹

C17: from Greek pathognōmonikos expert in judging illness, from patho- + gnōmōn judge

Example Sentences

The possibility of a stone being present should not be hinted to the patient until some definite pathognomonic sign is discovered.

From Project Gutenberg

Many scorbutic cases, however, lack this so-called pathognomonic feature.

From Project Gutenberg

They are not pathognomonic of any one malady, although often referred to the gouty diathesis.

From Project Gutenberg

Paroxysms of coughing, with or without whooping, are pathognomonic of pertussis.

From Project Gutenberg

Of all the symptoms of measles, the catarrh of the mucous membranes is undoubtedly the most pathognomonic.

From Project Gutenberg