clinical
/ˈklɪnɪk(ə)l
/adjective
1Relating to the observation and treatment of actual patients rather than theoretical or laboratory studies: clinical medicine clinical drug trials...
- In this study we describe the clinical and laboratory features of the patients with and without mycobacteraemia.
- Most patients in clinical trials had osteolytic bone metastases on imaging studies.
- The study, involving clinical trials on Christie patients, will cost around £40,000.
1.1(Of a disease or condition) causing observable and recognizable symptoms: clinical depression...
- These trials compared SSRIs with placebo in adults with depression and other clinical conditions.
- Sahn and Hefner recently reviewed the clinical condition of spontaneous pneumothorax.
- Aspirin induced asthma is a distinct clinical syndrome affecting some asthmatic patients.
2Very efficient and without feeling; coldly detached: nothing was left to chance—everything was clinical...
- Behavioural research derives its authority from notions of scientific rigour and clinical detachment.
- I want it to be efficient, clinical, impartial and polite.
- Some have accused her of coldness, of clinical detachment.
Synonyms
detached, impersonal, dispassionate, objective, uninvolved, distant, remote, aloof, removed, cold, indifferent, neutral, unsympathetic, unfeeling, unemotional, non-emotional, unsentimental;
scientific, analytic, rational, logical, hard-headed, sober, businesslike
2.1(Of a room or building) bare, functional, and clean: the room was white and clinical...
- We can offer you clinical facilities at the JFK Hospital to begin with, and we will ask to use your expertise to help us equip whatever surgical room you will need.
- The hospitals were commended for their good signposting, bright and uncluttered corridors and clinical areas with helpful and organised support staff.
- A museum is necessarily clinical, and as a professor of history I can walk through it with the detachment and assurance of a doctor.
Synonyms
plain, simple, unadorned, unornamented, unembellished, stark, austere, severe, spartan, ascetic, monastic, bleak, bare, chaste, cheerless;
clean;
functional, basic, institutional, impersonal, characterless, soulless, colourless, antiseptic
informal no frills
Origin
Late 18th century: from Greek klinikē 'bedside' (see clinic) + -al.