n. [ See Pathogenic. ] (Biol.) Any microorganism which causes disease; a pathogenic organism; an infectious microorganism; a bacterium, virus, or other agent which can cause disease by infection; -- opposed to zymogene. The spelling pathogene is now archaic. [ 1913 Webster + PJC ]
a. [ Gr. pa`qos disease + the root of ge`nos birth. ] (Med. & Biol.) Of or pertaining to pathogeny; producting disease; as, a pathogenic organism; a pathogenic bacterium. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Med.) (a) The generation, and method of development, of disease; as, the pathogeny of yellow fever is unsettled. (b) That branch of pathology which treats of the generation and development of disease. [ 1913 Webster ]