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Webster 1913 Edition

Procatarctic

Proˊcat-arc′tic

,
Adj.
[Gr. [GREEK] beginning beforehand. fr. [GREEK] to begin first; [GREEK] before + [GREEK] to begin; [GREEK] intens. + [GREEK] to begin: cf. F.
procatarctique
. ]
(Med.)
Beginning; predisposing; exciting; initial.
[Obs.]
☞ The words procatarctic causes have been used with different significations. Thus they have been employed synonymously with prime causes, exciting causes, and predisposing or remote causes.
The physician inquires into the
procatarctic
causes.
Harvey.

Webster 1828 Edition

Procatarctic

PROCATARC'TIC

,
Adj.
[Gr. to begin.] In medicine, pre-existing or predisposing; remote; as procatarctic causes of a disease,in distinction from immediate or exciting causes. Thus heat may be the procatarctic, and extreme fatigue the immediate or exciting cause of a fever.

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