clinical English · revision 4857

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1780|origins=grc κλινικός}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈklɪn.ɪ.kəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from Latin clīnicus and the suffix [[-al]],^(Barnhart 1988) or from [[clinic]] and -al.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) Latin clīnicus “physician who visits patients in bed” is [[bor|grc|κλινικός|tr=klīnikós|t=of the bed]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from klínē “bed”, from klínein “to lean, incline”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[ine-pro|*ḱley-|alt=*klei-|t=to lean]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[incline]], [[recline]] and [[lean]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of or pertaining to the sickbed, especially the treatment of patients: 1780 in Barnhart, Etymonline and the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) MWU dates its first known use to about 1728.^(MWU 2024) The earlier adjective was clinic (1620s).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In church use, a clinical baptism was one given on the sickbed to a person in danger of death (1844).^(OED 1989) Based on the direct observation and treatment of patients, as opposed to laboratory study, is the main medical sense.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) The figurative “coldly detached and dispassionate”, like a medical report, is from 1928,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and “bare and functional, like a hospital” from 1932.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1780 – of the sickbed.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1844 – of baptism on the sickbed.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1928 – coldly detached.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1932 – bare, like a hospital.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relating to the examination and treatment of [[patient]]s rather than theory or laboratory work: ''clinical trials''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Relating to a [[clinic]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Cold and without emotion; detached.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Plain and bare, like a hospital: ''a clinical white room''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[clinically]]

+ * [[unclinical]]

+ * [[preclinical]]

+ * [[subclinical]]

+ * [[nonclinical]]

+ * [[clinical trial]]

+ * [[clinical pathology]]

+ * [[clinical psychology]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[clinic]]

+ * [[incline]]

+ * [[recline]]

+ * [[lean]]

+ * [[climate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}