/ ˈklɪnɪkl; NAmE / adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] relating to the examination and treatment of patients and their illnesses :
clinical research (= done on patients, not just considering theory)
clinical training (= the part of a doctor's training done in a hospital)
clinical trials of a drug
2.
( disapproving ) cold and calm and without feeling or sympathy :
He watched her suffering with clinical detachment.
3.
( disapproving ) ( of a room, building, etc. ) very plain; without decoration
► clin·ic·al·ly /-kli/ adverb :
clinically dead (= judged to be dead from the condition of the body)
clinically depressed
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WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent.: from Greek klinikē bedside, from klinē bed. + -al .