Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word . In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word , but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word you have here. The definition of the word will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From de- + compensation.
Pronunciation
Noun
decompensation (countable and uncountable, plural decompensations)
- (medicine) The inability of a diseased or weakened organic system or organ to compensate for its deficiency, resulting in functional deterioration.
- 1982, Pamela Martyn, “If You Guessed Cardiovascular Disease, Guess again”, in American Journal of Nursing, volume 82, number 8, page 1239:
- Once it was determined that hyperthyroidism was the probable etiology of her cardiac decompensation, the next step was treatment of the underlying disease.
- (psychology) The deterioration of cognitive or emotional functionality in a person who is distressed or who suffers from a psychological disorder.
- 1945 May, William C. Menninger, “The Mentally or Emotionally Handicapped Veteran”, in Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, volume 239, page 21:
- A varying percentage of our combat soldiers reach the limit of their endurance and must leave their foxholes, not for physical wounds but because of emotional decompensation.
Related terms
Translations
inability of an organ to compensate
|
deterioration of functionality in a person
|
References
- Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., 1989.
- Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary, 1987-1996.