contraindication
UK[ˌkɒntrəˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən]US[ˌkɑːntrəˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən]
n
A specific situation, condition, or factor that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable because it is likely to be harmful or ineffective.
Morpheme Breakdown
contra
indication
contra
against
indication
sign
Etymology
The word is a modern medical compound built from classical elements. The prefix "contra-" comes directly from Latin, carrying its core meaning of opposition. The base "indication" originates from the Latin verb indicare, meaning "to point out," which itself is formed from in- (towards) and dicare (to proclaim). In medical terminology, an "indication" points to the appropriateness of a treatment. Therefore, a "contraindication" logically signifies a factor that points against a treatment, signaling that it should not be used. This construction elegantly captures the concept of a warning sign based on opposing evidence.
Analysis
Structure: contra (against) + indication (sign)
- contra: Latin origin, meaning "against" or "opposite." It functions as a prefix expressing opposition.
- indication: Derived from Latin indicatio (a pointing out, sign), from indicare (to point out). It functions as the core noun, meaning a sign or piece of information.
Examples
A severe allergy to penicillin is a strict contraindication for its use.
The doctor reviewed the patient's history for any possible contraindications before prescribing the new medication.
Pregnancy is often listed as a contraindication for that particular vaccine.