pathognomonic, a. and n. Med. and Path.
(pəθɒgnəʊˈmɒnɪk)
[ad. Gr. παθογνωµονικ-ός (Galen) skilled in judging of symptoms or diseases, f. παθο-, patho- + γνωµονικός able to give an opinion, f. γνώµων judge, knowing person.]
A. adj. Applied to a sign or symptom by which a disease may be known or distinguished; specifically characteristic or indicative of a particular disease.
| 1625 Hart Anat. Ur. i. ii. 19 The..absolute knowledge of the disease, by meanes of the signes Pathognomonicke, proper and peculiar to euery disease. 1693 Phil. Trans. XVII. 720 This..hath no Pathognomonic Sign by which it is distinguish'd from other Fevers besides its Duration. 1758 Munckley in Phil. Trans. L. 613 It hath been thought, that a quick pulse is so essential..as to be a pathognomonic symptom of it. 1898 P. Manson Trop. Diseases iii. 77 The black pigment [in malaria] is a pathognomonic..feature. |
B. n. A pathognomonic sign or symptom.
| [1625 Hart Anat. Ur. i. ii. 14 Ioyne..as most pregnant..testimonies of the disease, these inseparable accidents of the same, commonly called pathognomonica.] 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Pathognomonick, a Term in the Art of Medicine, is a proper inseparate Sign [etc.]. 1725 N. Robinson Th. Physick 87 Those inseparable Symptoms we call its Pathognomonics or distinguishing Characters. 1822–34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 674 It is not a sympton to be depended on as a pathognomonic. |
So pathognoˈmonical a. rare.
| 1638 A. Read Chirurg. x. 70 The only pathognomonicall signe of a true convulsion. |