etiology
1 of 1noun/ˌitiˈɑlədʒi/
Forms:etiologies
1
a field of health science that looks at the patterns and causes of disease in groups of people
- In class, students learned that etiology helps explain why some communities face more asthma than others.
- Researchers used etiology methods to track how a waterborne illness spread through the town.
- The etiology report showed smoking rates and air pollution as key factors in lung disease.
- During the outbreak, rapid etiology work revealed that close contacts were at highest risk.
- A strong grasp of etiology lets doctors and planners target vaccines where they're needed most.
2
the direct reason why someone gets a particular illness
- The etiology of scurvy is a lack of vitamin C in the diet.
- Scientists discovered that the etiology of many ulcers is infection by a common stomach germ.
- Knowing the etiology of measles helps hospitals control its spread.
- The etiology of lead poisoning in the town was traced to old water pipes.
- Doctors tested for genetic markers to find the etiology of the patient's rare blood disorder.