pathology - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
pathology Word Meanings
- the study of diseases
- the branch of medicine dealing with the nature of diseases
- the conditions resulting from a disease
pathology Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
pathology Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/pəˈθɒlədʒi/
US
/pəˈθɑːlədʒi/
pathology Word Etymology
patho- = disease, logy = study. Origin: Greek → Latin → English. Imagine a scientist in a lab studying samples under a microscope, representing the study of diseases and abnormalities.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Pathology is the branch of medicine that studies the causes and effects of diseases. It bridges laboratory science and clinical practice by analyzing tissue, cells, and bodily fluids to understand what goes wrong in illness. Historically rooted in autopsy, pathology now includes molecular testing, histology, and diagnostic imaging to determine diseases, guide treatment, and predict outcomes. In everyday use, be careful not to confuse pathology with a general sense of abnormality in behavior or character; in medical English pathology always refers to disease study and diagnosis. The word comes from Greek pathos meaning disease and logos meaning study.
Usage Reminders
- Know the noun form; use pathology with disease contexts; distinguish from pathological; common collocations include 'pathology report' and 'clinical pathology'; remember its Greek roots; practice with formal and medical contexts.
Common Misconceptions
- Pathology is the same as anatomy.
- Pathology only means bad behavior or morality in everyday English.
- Pathology provides immediate bedside diagnosis without lab work.
- Pathology and pathology reports are interchangeable with general disease descriptions.
- Pathology refers to treatment guidelines rather than disease study.
Thinking Differences
In English, pathology is a precise medical term for disease study and diagnosis; learners often mistake it for general negativity or behavior.
Learning Tips
- Learn the prefix path- (disease) and the suffix -ology (study)
- Make a mini glossary: pathology report, clinical pathology, pathologist
- Practice distinguishing nouns vs adjectives like pathological
- Read medical summaries to see pathology in context
- Use collocations with departments and tests (pathology department, pathology lab)
- Quiz yourself with common disease terms and their causes
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'pathology'?
A.Study of plants
B.Study of diseases
C.Study of rocks
D.Study of stars
Step 2: Usage
In which of the following sentences is 'pathology' used correctly?
A.The doctor specialized in pathology.
B.She enjoys studying the pathology of stars.
C.He is a pathology runner.
D.They went hiking through the pathology.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'pathology'?
A.Physiology
B.Oncology
C.Geology
D.Botany
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is an antonym of 'pathology'?
A.Validation
B.Wellness
C.Certainty
D.Normalcy
Step 5: Mastery
How is 'pathology' relevant in real-life?
A.Cooking recipes
B.Analyzing celebrities
C.Diagnosing diseases
D.Solving math problems
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