Idiopathy

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Idiopathy \Id`i*op"a*thy\, n.; pl. {Idiopathies}. [Gr. ?;
     'i`dios proper, peculiar + ?, ?, to suffer: cf. F.
     idiopathie.]
     1. A peculiar, or individual, characteristic or affection.
        [1913 Webster]
  


              All men are so full of their own fancies and
              idiopathies, that they scarce have the civility to
              interchange any words with a stranger. --Dr. H.
                                                    More.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Med.) A morbid state or condition not preceded or
        occasioned by any other disease; a primary disease.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  idiopathy
       n : any disease arising from internal dysfunctions of unknown
           cause [syn: {idiopathic disease}, {idiopathic disorder}]