Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ


Jul 9, 2008
This week's theme
Words made using combining forms.

This week's words
orthography
coprolite
iatrogenic
misoneism
callipygian

"A delightful, quirky collection"
-The New York Times

A Word A Day: A Romp Through Some of the Most Unusual and Intriguing Words in English
ISBN 978-0471230328 More reviews
Discuss
Feedback
RSS/XML
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

iatrogenic

PRONUNCIATION:
(eye-at-ruh-JEN-ik)

MEANING:
adjective: Caused inadvertently by medical treatment, such as an infection or a complication.

ETYMOLOGY:
From iatro- (healer, medicine), from Greek iatros (healer) + -genic (producing).

USAGE:
"ICU care, provided to the most frail and sick patients, often results in the worst iatrogenic injuries."
Sandeep Jauhar, MD; First, Do No Harm; The New York Times; Aug 10, 1999.

See more usage examples of iatrogenic in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
To delight in war is a merit in the soldier, a dangerous quality in the captain, and a positive crime in the statesman. -George Santayana, philosopher (1863-1952)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith