Unknown
Unknown
Unknown (pronunciation: /ʌnˈnoʊn/) is a term used in various fields of study, including medicine, to denote something that is not known or identified. The term is derived from the Old English 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'cnawan' meaning 'to know'.
Medical Usage
In the medical field, 'unknown' is often used to describe a condition, symptom, or cause that is not yet identified or understood. This could be due to a lack of information, insufficient research, or the complexity of the condition itself. For instance, a patient may be described as having an 'unknown' illness if doctors have been unable to diagnose their condition.
Related terms include diagnosis, symptom, condition, disease, etiology, and prognosis.
Etymology
The term 'unknown' comes from the Old English 'un-', a prefix meaning 'not', and 'cnawan', a verb meaning 'to know'. Thus, 'unknown' literally means 'not known'. The term has been in use since at least the 14th century.
Related Terms
- Diagnosis: The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
- Symptom: A physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disease, particularly such a feature that is apparent to the patient.
- Condition: The state of something, especially with regard to its appearance, quality, or working order.
- Disease: A disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury.
- Etiology: The cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition.
- Prognosis: The likely course of a disease or ailment.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Unknown
- Wikipedia's article - Unknown
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