Definition
adjDealing with the practical management of patients, in practice at the point of care; as contrasted with other health care venues (see clinical medicine for more explanation).
adjOf or pertaining to a clinic, such as a medical clinic or law clinic.
Sentence Examples
The clinical records in most hospitals are kept in alphabetical order.
The drug must go through clinical trials before being approved.
The new medicine is currently undergoing advanced clinical trials.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *ḱel-
Proto-Indo-European *-éyti
Proto-Indo-European *ḱley-
Proto-Indo-European *-né-
Proto-Indo-European *ḱl̥néyti
Proto-Hellenic *klíňňō
Ancient Greek κλῑ́νω (klī́nō)
Ancient Greek -ᾱ (-ā)
Ancient Greek -η (-ē)
Ancient Greek κλῑ́νη (klī́nē)
Proto-Indo-European *-kos
Ancient Greek -κός (-kós)
Ancient Greek -ῐκός (-ĭkós)
Ancient Greek κλῑνῐκός (klīnĭkós)bor.
Late Latin clīnicus
French cliniquebor.
English clinic
Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.?
Proto-Italic *-ālis
Latin -ālisbor.
Old French -albor.
▲
Latin -ālis
Old French -elbor.
▲
Latin -ālisbor.
Middle English -al
English -al
English clinical
From clinic + -al.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"“We are social beings,” Jaime Blandino, a clinical psychologist in Decatur, Georgia, told CNN. “My most extroverted clients are having the hardest time.”"
— 2020 March 23, Ryan Prior, “The extrovert’s guide to social distancing”, in CNN:
"Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson put his below-par performance against Argentina behind him with a fine first-half showing, slotting four kicks from six and controlling his back-line with aplomb, while England's three-quarters were brimming with life and clinical with their execution."
— 2011 September 24, Ben Dirs, “Rugby World Cup 2011: England 67-3 Romania”, in BBC Sport:
"Remarkably United’s 10 men almost salvaged an improbable draw during a late, spirited challenge. They showed great competitive courage in that period and there were chances for Robin van Persie, Ángel Di María and Marouane Fellaini to punish City for defending too deeply and not being more clinical with their opportunities at the other end."
— 2014 November 2, Daniel Taylor, “Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United”, in The Guardian:
"Jones was insanely productive last season. He is a clinical route-runner who can line up at any position and catches everything."
— 2023 April 30, Adam Kilgore, “The Lions missed their chance, and the Eagles are smarter than everybody”, in The Washington Post, archived from the original on 30 Apr 2023:
"Jude Bellingham has blossomed into a clinical scorer since joining Real Madrid. Now his team hopes Bellingham will be fully fit when he faces his first “clasico” match at Barcelona on Saturday."
— 2023 October 26, Joseph Wilson, “Next generation ‘clasico’: Bellingham faces 1st game against a Barcelona brimming with young talents”, in The Washington Times: