idiopathic

adjective

id·​i·​o·​path·​ic ˌi-dē-ə-ˈpa-thik How to pronounce idiopathic (audio)
1
: arising spontaneously or from an obscure or unknown cause : primary
idiopathic epilepsy
2
: peculiar to the individual
idiopathically adverb

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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

Recent Examples on the Web While most muscle cramps occur due to idiopathic (unknown) causes, they are often linked with factors such as exercise, muscle overuse, straining, and diet. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2024 The drug also aims to treat idiopathic hypersomnia, or IH. Pia Singh, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2024 Optic neuritis can be idiopathic and resolve within a year. Katie Gutierrez, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024 Throughout this period, Xolair was available to patients with asthma, and in 2014, it was also approved for idiopathic, or unexplained, chronic hives. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for idiopathic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'idiopathic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of idiopathic was in 1669

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Dictionary Entries Near idiopathic

Cite this Entry

“Idiopathic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idiopathic. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

idiopathic

adjective
id·​io·​path·​ic ˌid-ē-ə-ˈpath-ik How to pronounce idiopathic (audio)
: arising spontaneously or from an obscure or unknown cause : primary
idiopathic epilepsy
idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
idiopathically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on idiopathic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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