pathogen
(ˈpæθəʊdʒɛn)
Also -gene.
[f. patho- + -gen.]
Any agent that causes disease, esp. a micro-organism.
| 1880 Libr. Univ. Knowl. (N.Y.) VI. 647 Pathogen [the micrococcus of] contagion. 1942 E. C. Stakman in Aerobiology (Amer. Assoc. Adv. Sci. Publ. No. 17) 2/1 The possible aerial dissemination of pathogens of domestic animals by air currents is a relatively unexplored field. 1970 M. Treshow Environment & Plant Response ii. 17 Contrary to common belief, a pathogen technically does not have to be an organism or virus. A pathogen can be any component of the physical environment, including adverse climate, soil, or air relations. 1972 Daily Colonist (Victoria, B.C.) 8 Feb. 6/2 Diener said the new agent, which he described as a ‘novel type of pathogen’ or disease-causing agent, is about 80 times smaller than the smallest known virus. |