adj
clinical
KLIHN-ih-kuhl
adj
1
Relating to the direct treatment and observation of patients, as opposed to theoretical research.
"The drug passed its clinical trials with strong results."
2
Coolly objective, detached, or unemotional, especially in an unsettling way.
"He described the accident in such a clinical tone that it felt cold."
3
Precise and efficient, often used approvingly of a performance.
"It was a clinical finish from the striker, no hesitation at all."
How to Use Clinical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to real patient care and treatment, or (more broadly) cold, detached, and precise.
Common pairings
clinical trial
clinical setting
clinical detachment
Word Forms
more clinical comparative, clinicals plural, most clinical superlative
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The drug passed its _____ trials with strong results.
Etymology
From clinic + the adjective suffix -al.