congenital
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.con·gen·i·tal
adjective \kən-ˈje-nə-təl, kän-\Definition of CONGENITAL
1
a : existing at or dating from birth <congenital deafness> b : constituting an essential characteristic : inherent <congenital fear of snakes> c : acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity <congenital syphilis>
2
: being such by nature <a congenital liar>
— con·gen·i·tal·ly \-təl-ē\ adverb
See Examples of CONGENITAL
- The irregularity in my backbone is probably congenital.
- <a congenital liar who couldn't speak the truth if his life depended on it>
Origin of CONGENITAL
Latin congenitus, from com- + genitus, past participle of gignere to bring forth — more at kin
First Known Use: 1796
Related to CONGENITAL
Other Genetics Terms
con·gen·i·tal
adjective \kän-ˈjen-ə-təl\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of CONGENITAL
1
: existing at or dating from birth <congenital deafness>
2
: acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity <congenital syphilis>—compare acquired 2, familial, hereditary
—con·gen·i·tal·ly \-təl-ē\ adverb
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