<p>I think the answer can actually be found in the Dictionary.com link you cite:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><code>-ological</code>; <em>suffix</em>;
  used to form adjectives; belonging or relating to a particular type of scientific study;
  e.g. biological, technological</p>
</blockquote>

<p>And (taken from Wikipedia):</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The word pathology is from Ancient Greek <em>πάθος</em>, pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and <em>-λογία</em>, -logia, "the study of".</p>
</blockquote>

<p>So <code>pathological</code> would be:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>an adjective describing a thing that belongs or relates to suffering or the feeling of suffering.  </p>
</blockquote>

<p>(literally translated, of course)</p>

<p>So we can see that it's not just disease-related (suffering) but also mental health-related (feeling of suffering).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-28T19:45:38.597Z
Suffering or the feeling of suffering... So in the context of "pathological gambler," it would be someone who doesn't enjoy gambling anymore - just can't help themselves from gambling?
LitheOhm
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-28T19:49:21.257Z
I believe so, yes.  Similar to, or the same as, the difference between an (ignorable) impulse and a compulsion.  (They may still get some enjoyment from gambling, but it's not something they have control over anymore).
BenCole
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-28T19:33:03.023Z
2013-01-28T19:33:03.023Z
BenCole
<p>While trying to get more information <a href="https://cogsci.stackexchange.com/q/1638/1048">for my previous question</a>, I found several different definitions for the terms "pathology" and "pathological." While under normal circumstances I'd be inclined to say the latter stems from the former, there seems to be heavy connotation where terms such as "pathological liar" are concerned.</p>

<p>One of <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pathological?s=t" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the definitions at dictionary.com states</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Caused by or evidencing a mentally disturbed condition</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Seems a bit vague, to me. <strong>Can anyone clarify this?</strong></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-01-25T21:42:42.413Z
Related info from Wikipedia: `The word pathology is from Ancient Greek πάθος, pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and -λογία, -logia, "the study of".`  `Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling.`
BenCole
<terminology><abnormal-psychology>
What is the definition of pathology?
LitheOhm
# What is the definition of pathology?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-01-25)

While trying to get more information [for my previous question](https://cogsci.stackexchange.com/q/1638/1048), I found several different definitions for the terms "pathology" and "pathological." While under normal circumstances I'd be inclined to say the latter stems from the former, there seems to be heavy connotation where terms such as "pathological liar" are concerned.

One of [the definitions at dictionary.com states](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pathological?s=t):

> Caused by or evidencing a mentally disturbed condition

Seems a bit vague, to me. **Can anyone clarify this?**

**Tags:** terminology, abnormal-psychology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Related info from Wikipedia: `The word pathology is from Ancient Greek πάθος, pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and -λογία, -logia, "the study of".`  `Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling.`  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-01-28. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

I think the answer can actually be found in the Dictionary.com link you cite:

> `-ological`; *suffix*;
> used to form adjectives; belonging or relating to a particular type of scientific study;
> e.g. biological, technological

And (taken from Wikipedia):

> The word pathology is from Ancient Greek *πάθος*, pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and *-λογία*, -logia, "the study of".

So `pathological` would be:

> an adjective describing a thing that belongs or relates to suffering or the feeling of suffering.

(literally translated, of course)

So we can see that it's not just disease-related (suffering) but also mental health-related (feeling of suffering).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Suffering or the feeling of suffering... So in the context of "pathological gambler," it would be someone who doesn't enjoy gambling anymore - just can't help themselves from gambling?  
> **username_1**: I believe so, yes.  Similar to, or the same as, the difference between an (ignorable) impulse and a compulsion.  (They may still get some enjoyment from gambling, but it's not something they have control over anymore).  

---

