Langimage
English

congenital

|con/gen/i/tal|

C1

/kənˈdʒɛnɪtəl/

present from birth

Etymology
Etymology Information

'congenital' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'congenitus,' where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'genitus' meant 'born.'

Historical Evolution

'congenitus' transformed into the Late Latin word 'congenitalis,' and eventually became the modern English word 'congenital.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'born together with,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'present from birth.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

present from birth (especially of a disease or physical abnormality).

The child was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35