algedonics noun[plural only]2 •The scientific study of pleasure and pain responses.The conception of algedonics interests the physician, then, as far as it helps him to attempt to distinguish between a psychic or physical origin for the headache. — 1908 •The handling of critical events in ways that bypass the usual chain of reporting in order to respond more urgently.The plant is adaptive to environmental changes (we have discussed how this could be done through algedonics). But the built-in control systems keep going wrong. — 1994
