Idiopathic
/ˌɪd.i.əˈpæθ.ɪk/noun
Relating to a disease or condition arising spontaneously or from an unknown cause.
Did you know?The word combines Greek idios, “one’s own,” with pathos, “suffering” or “experience”—the same root behind empathy and sympathy.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
idios
“One’s own, private, or peculiar”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pathos
“Suffering, experience, or feeling”
Ancient Greek
Greek
idiopathēs
“Suffering from a condition that is peculiar to oneself; later, having an intrinsic cause”
Late Greek / Medical Latin
Greek/Latin
idiopathia
“A disease arising from an internal or inherent cause”
17th Century
English
idiopathic
“Arising from a distinct or peculiar cause; used in medical contexts”
Modern English
English
idiopathic
“Of unknown cause, especially describing a disease or medical condition”