Metaphor through the Lens of Clinical Medicine: The Case of Specialty-Specific Signs

Abstract

The present paper aims at discussing certain metaphors which name diseases resembling specialty-specific signs manifested in different occupations. An attempt is made towards showcasing the cognitive value that metaphor entails when used in a clinical setting to verbalize different diseases. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary – currently the most content-rich medical dictionary – has served a major reference point for the analysis of specialty-specific metaphors in Medicine.

Keywords

• metaphor
• medicine
• specialty-specific signs
• clinical practice
• medical agenda
• chemical, physical and biological agents