xenopathology

English

Etymology

From xeno- +‎ pathology.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /zɛnəpəˈθɒləd͡ʒi/
• Hyphenation: xe‧no‧pa‧tho‧logy

Noun

xenopathology (uncountable)

1. (science fiction, rare) The study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences among different sentient species of the galaxy.
   • 2006, Marc D. Giller, Prodigal:

     “I just completed my boards in theoretical xenopathology. You really should have been at the graduation party.

   • 2008, Neal Asher, Prador Moon:

     ... being able to deal with battlefield injuries, were also expert in specific fields: xenopathology, bioweapons and battlestress analysis. And so it went. All carried laser carbines, grenades, missile launchers, mines—a whole panoply of death.

   • 2013, Greg Cox, Star Trek: The Original Series: The Weight of Worlds:

     oo bad M'Benga is still attending that xenopathology conference on Samaritan Station, McCoy thought. We could use another MD at the moment.

   • 2015, C. Gockel, Murphy's Star: A Story of First Contact:

     Of course she wouldn't, or Dr. Bonn, her redundancy. Xenopathology and emergency medicine are more practical.