pathogen

UK/'pæθәdʒ(ә)n/US

TOEFLGREC2

Definitions

A microorganism such as a bacterium or virus that causes disease

病原体，致病微生物

Root Breakdown

Root-derived

patho-feel, suffer, experience; (in compounds) disease

-genbirth, produce, kind

=pathogen

patho- (disease) + gen (produce, give birth to) = 'disease-producer.' Here path takes its medical sense ('disease,' not 'feeling'), and gen supplies 'generate.' A pathogen is anything that generates illness.

Root path still carries 58 more words

Example Sentences

1.
The vaccine trains the body to recognize the pathogen.
2.
Airborne pathogens can spread quickly in crowded rooms.
3.
Researchers isolated the pathogen responsible for the outbreak.

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