idiopathic, a.
(ɪdɪəʊˈpæθɪk)
[f. idiopathy + -ic. Cf. F. idiopathique (1732 in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. Path. Of a disease: Arising by itself in a particular part of the body; of the nature of a primary morbid state; not consequent upon or symptomatic of another disease.
| 1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chym. 88 If the diseases..be idiopathick. 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. iii. 69 The idiopathick Headach..requires Purging. 1796 Nat. Hist. in Ann. Reg. 405 It is a real and idiopathic disease. 1874 H. Maudsley Respons. in Ment. Dis. iii. 80 Cases in which the insanity is owing to idiopathic disease of the brain. 1876 tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol. 2 In many cases it is..important to recognize an affection as idiopathic or symptomatic. |
2. Of the nature of a particular affection or susceptibility.
| 1846 Sir W. Hamilton Dissert. in Reid's Wks. 854 The idiopathic affections of our several organs of sense, as Colour, Sound. 1857 Berkeley Cryptog. Bot. §403. 368 The common mushroom has proved fatal in Italy... This does not appear to depend upon any idiopathic phenomena, but upon the intrinsic character of the individual specimens. |
So idioˈpathical a. = prec.; hence idioˈpathically adv., in the manner of an idiopathic disease.
| 1828 Webster, Idiopathically. 1835–6 Todd Cycl. Anat. I. 227/1 Disease..as it commences idiopathically within the vessel itself. 1846 Worcester cites For. Q. Rev. for Idiopathical. 1861 T. J. Graham Pract. Med. 678 We must carefully watch for the symptoms of the complications, and treat them..much as when they occur idiopathically. |