idiopathic
adjective
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Idiopathic joins the combining form idio- (from Greek idios, meaning "one's own" or "private") with -pathic, a form that suggests the effects of disease. The combining form idio- is typically found in technical terms. Examples include idiographic, meaning "relating to or dealing with something concrete, individual, or unique"; idiolect, meaning "the language or speech pattern of one individual at a particular period of life"; and idiotype, meaning "the molecular structure and conformation of an antibody that confers its antigenic specificity." A more common idio- word is idiosyncrasy, which most commonly refers to an unusual way in which a person behaves or thinks, or to an unusual part or feature of something.
Examples of idiopathic in a Sentence
Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
Its lead drug candidate, a potential drug for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung disease, has shown positive results in a mid-stage human trial in the U.S., the company said in November.
—Zinnia Lee, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Bernabé Williams Figueroa Sr. died in 2001 due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a type of IDL.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025
The American Gastroenterological Association has recommended magnesium oxide, among several other treatments, for chronic idiopathic constipation.2
The use of magnesium for constipation should be discussed with your primary healthcare provider.
2.
—Jennifer Lefton, Ms, Rd/n, Cnsc, Fand, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idiopathic
Cite this Entry
“Idiopathic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idiopathic. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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idiopathic
adjective
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