Pathologically

Pathologically is an adverb derived from the adjective pathological. In medical contexts, pathological pertains to pathology, the branch of medicine that studies disease, including diseased tissue, abnormal anatomy, or mechanisms of illness. As an adverb, pathologically modifies a verb or adjective to indicate that a feature or process is related to disease or to pathological change.

Etymology and sense have two main strands. The medical sense derives from pathology and denotes things observed or established in the study of disease. A broader, figurative sense uses pathologically to emphasize abnormality, compulsion, or deviation from what is considered normal, often suggesting illness-like characteristics in behavior or motives.

Usage and examples. In clinical writing, pathologically can appear in phrases such as pathologically confirmed, pathologically examined, or pathologically altered tissue. For example: “The biopsy was pathologically examined and showed signs of inflammation.” In everyday or psychological language, it may intensify descriptors of behavior, such as “pathologically neat” or “pathologically jealous,” signaling an extreme or abnormal pattern reminiscent of illness or compulsion.

Limitations. Because pathological has clinical implications, pathologically should be used with care outside medical contexts to avoid implying medical diagnosis or stigma. It is best reserved for cases where disease, disorder, or a clearly abnormal process is involved.

See also: Pathology, Pathologist, Pathological liar, Pathological gambling.