etiology
/,i:ti'ɔlədʤi/ Cách viết khác : (etiology) /,i:ti'ɔlədʤi/
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Definition
- Noun:
- The study of causation or origins: In philosophy and general science, "etiology" refers to the investigation or assignment of causes and origins, particularly for phenomena or events.
- The cause or set of causes of a disease or condition: In medicine and pathology, "etiology" specifically denotes the cause, or the study of the causes, of a disease.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Philosophical/General):
- The book delves into the etiology of social movements. (The book delves into the causes and origins of social movements.)
- Understanding the etiology of a problem is the first step to solving it. (Understanding the origin of a problem is the first step to solving it.)
- Noun (Medical):
- The etiology of the patient's fever was determined to be a bacterial infection. (The cause of the patient's fever was determined to be a bacterial infection.)
- Researchers are still investigating the etiology of this rare neurological disorder. (Researchers are still investigating the causes of this rare neurological disorder.)
Advanced Usage
- "Etiologic agent": A specific pathogen or factor that causes a disease.
- The etiologic agent of tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis. (The causative agent of tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis.)
- "Etiologic fraction": In epidemiology, the proportion of cases of a disease that can be attributed to a specific risk factor.
- The study calculated the etiologic fraction for lung cancer due to smoking. (The study calculated the proportion of lung cancer cases caused by smoking.)
Variants and Related Words
- Aetiology: The British English spelling of "etiology".
- Etiological (adj): Pertaining to etiology or causes.
- The doctor provided an etiological explanation for the symptoms. (The doctor provided a causal explanation for the symptoms.)
- Etiologist (n): A specialist in the study of causes, especially of diseases.
Synonyms
- Causation: The action of causing something.
- Pathogenesis: The manner of development of a disease (specifically the biological mechanism, often related to but distinct from etiology, which is the initial cause).
Related Phrases
- "Of unknown etiology": A common medical phrase describing a disease whose cause is not yet identified.
- The syndrome is currently classified as being of unknown etiology. (The syndrome is currently classified as having an unknown cause.)
Noun
- the philosophical study of causation
- the cause of a disease