epiphenomenon

(-fə nämə nən, -nän′)

noun pl. epiphenomena

  1. a phenomenon that occurs with and seems to result from another but has no reciprocal effect or subsequent influence
  2. Med. a secondary or additional occurrence in the course of a disease, usually unrelated to the disease

Origin: epi- + phenomenon

Related Forms:

See epiphenomenon in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. ep·i·phe·nom·e·na (-nə)
  1. A secondary phenomenon that results from and accompanies another: “Exploitation of one social class or ethnic group by another [is] an epiphenomenon of real differences in power between social groups” (Harper's).
  2. Pathology An additional condition or symptom in the course of a disease, not necessarily connected with the disease.

Related Forms:

  • epˌi·phe·nomˈe·nal adjective
  • epˌi·phe·nomˈe·nal·ly adverb

Learn more about epiphenomenon

link/cite print suggestion box