English Reference
Compound

case history

compound.
C1 Advanced

compound.a record of a person's past, especially their medical or social background, used to help treat or understand them.

compound.a detailed record of the background and relevant past experiences of a person or group under medical, psychiatric, or social investigation.


SIMPLE

The doctor studied the patient's case history before the surgery.

CONTEXTUAL

To provide the right support, the social worker needed to compile a full case history of the family's situation.

COMPLEX

The researcher meticulously documented each subject's case history to identify recurring patterns in the development of the rare condition.

Usage

commonly used in medical, legal, and social work contexts.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'medical records'; a case history is often a narrative summary of a specific problem's development rather than just a list of appointments.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Updated