epicritic

[ ep-i-krit-ik ]
/ ˌɛp ɪˈkrɪt ɪk /

adjective Physiology.

noting or pertaining to a discriminating responsiveness to small variations in pain or temperature stimuli (opposed to protopathic).

Origin of epicritic

First recorded in 1900–05, epicritic is from the Greek word epikrítikos determinative. See epicrisis1, -tic

Words nearby epicritic

epicontinental, epicotyl, epicranial muscle, epicranium, epicrisis, epicritic, epictetus, epicure, epicurean, epicureanism, epicurus

Example sentences from the Web for epicritic

  • Protopathic and epicritic sensibility are lost over the radial side of the forearm.

    Manual of Surgery |Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

  • The areas of epicritic and of protopathic insensibility are illustrated in Fig. 91.

    Manual of Surgery |Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

British Dictionary definitions for epicritic

epicritic
/ (ˌɛpɪˈkrɪtɪk) /

adjective

(of certain nerve fibres of the skin) serving to perceive and distinguish fine variations of temperature or touch

Word Origin for epicritic

C20: from Greek epikritikos decisive, from epikrinein to decide, from epi- + krinein to judge

Medical definitions for epicritic

epicritic
[ ĕp′ĭ-krĭt′ĭk ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or mediating the ability to discriminate slight differences in sensory stimuli, especially of touch and temperature.