pyrogenic
|py-ro-gen-ic|
/ˌpaɪrəˈdʒɛnɪk/
producing or produced by fire/heat (including fever)
Etymology
'pyrogenic' originates from Greek, specifically the root 'pyr' (Greek: πῦρ), where 'pyr' meant 'fire', combined with the Greek-derived combining element '-genic' (from 'genēs') meaning 'producing' or 'born of'.
'pyrogenic' was formed in modern scientific/medical English from Greek elements ('pyr-' + '-genic') via New Latin/modern coinage in the 19th century and entered English usage in technical contexts.
Initially it carried the literal sense 'producing fire' or 'born of fire'; over time its usage broadened to include 'producing fever' (medical sense) and 'produced by heat/combustion' (physical/geological sense).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
causing or producing fever; febrile in effect (used in medical contexts of substances or agents that induce fever).
The contaminated intravenous solution produced a pyrogenic response in several patients.
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Adjective 2
produced by heat or high temperature; formed by combustion or thermal processes (used in geology, materials science, and fire studies).
Pyrogenic deposits form when high-temperature gases cool and condense.
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Adjective 3
relating to or resulting from combustion or burning processes (often used of emissions, soot, or residues produced by fire).
The team analyzed the pyrogenic soot collected from the site for toxic compounds.
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Last updated: 2025/10/04 22:25