The word "clinical" is pronounced /klɪˈnɪkəl/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "cli" is pronounced with a short "i" sound, /klɪ/. The second syllable "ni" is pronounced with a long "i" sound, /naɪ/. The third syllable "cal" is pronounced with a neutral vowel sound, /kəl/. The stress is on the second syllable, /klɪˈnɪkəl/. The spelling of "clinical" follows the regular English spelling rules, where "c" is followed by "l" to make the sound /kl/.
Clinical is an adjective that has multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Primarily, clinical refers to anything related to the observation, diagnosis, or treatment of patients or their diseases in a medical setting. It is concerned with the practical application of medical science in a real-life setting. In this sense, clinical is associated with a medical or healthcare facility, such as a hospital, clinic, or laboratory, where healthcare professionals work directly with patients.
Furthermore, clinical can also highlight the detached, objective, and systematic approach employed in scientific research or experiments. It refers to studies that are based on observation and analysis of real-life cases or patients, as opposed to theoretical or hypothetical speculations. Clinical research aims to gather data and assess the effectiveness or safety of medical interventions, treatments, therapies, or drugs.
Additionally, clinical can be used to describe an individual's demeanor or behavior. It suggests someone who is calm, composed, and professional, particularly in challenging or stressful situations. A clinical approach often follows strict protocols and guidelines to ensure accuracy and reliability in medical practices or scientific investigations.
In summary, clinical relates to medical practice, healthcare facilities, scientific research, and an objective manner of conducting medical studies. It encompasses the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and observation of patients and their diseases, as well as the broader field of scientific investigation in medicine.
1. Relating to the bedside of a patient or to the course of his disease. 2. Noting the symptoms and course of a disease as distinguished from the anatomical changes. 3. Relating to a clinic.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Pert. to a bed; clinical lecture, instruction given to medical students by a professor at a sick-bed.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "clinical" originated from the Latin term "clinicus", which meant "of a bed". This was derived from the Greek word "kline" meaning "bed". The Latin term was eventually adopted into Late Middle English as "clinique", referring to a medical teaching institution where patients were treated in beds. Over time, the term "clinical" came to be associated with medical practices and observations made at the patient's bedside rather than in a laboratory or classroom setting. It eventually evolved to its present meaning, indicating something pertaining to or based on observations made in medical practice, such as the diagnosis or treatment of patients.