diagnosis

[dahy-uh g-noh-sis]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR diagnosis ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural di·ag·no·ses [dahy-uh g-noh-seez] /ˌdaɪ əgˈnoʊ siz/.

Medicine/Medical.

the process of determining by examination the nature and circumstances of a diseased condition.
the decision reached from such an examination. Abbreviation: Dx

Biology. scientific determination; a description that classifies a group or taxon precisely.

a determining or analysis of the cause or nature of a problem or situation.

an answer or solution to a problematic situation.

Origin of diagnosis

1675–85; < New Latin < Greek diágnōsis a distinguishing. See dia-, -gnosis

Related formspre·di·ag·no·sis, noun, plural pre·di·ag·no·ses.

Can be confuseddiagnosis prognosis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for diagnosis

Contemporary Examples of diagnosis

Diagnosis of CTE is often considered to be specialized and has to occur at a designated institution like Boston University.
Will the NCAA Let Ohio State’s Kosta Karageorge Die in Vain?
Robert Silverman
December 1, 2014
I recall being taught during my medical education that a likely diagnosis was neurofibromatosis type 1.
The True Story of ‘The Elephant Man’
Russell Saunders
November 3, 2014
Accompanying this diagnosis was a description of what her particular death would be like.
On Her Own Terms: Why Brittany Maynard Has Chosen to Die
Gene Robinson
October 12, 2014
A trip to the doctor resulted in a diagnosis of Glioblastoma multiforme, an especially virulent cancer of the brain.
On Her Own Terms: Why Brittany Maynard Has Chosen to Die
Gene Robinson
October 12, 2014
No, now I can safely give myself the diagnosis of SCT, which seems much tidier.
Daydreaming Is Not a Disorder
Russell Saunders
October 4, 2014

Historical Examples of diagnosis

How much better the diagnosis of Madame Dacier, who is quoted by Lessing!
The Dramatic Values in Plautus
Wilton Wallace Blancke
He liked to have all the symptoms before he made a diagnosis or ventured an opinion.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
He seemed always to be making a diagnosis of the souls of men.
Roden's Corner
Henry Seton Merriman
Bill grunted his disagreement with the diagnosis, and lapsed into silence.
White Fang
Jack London
In later conversations he told me the diagnosis of the disease had been correct.
The Ministry of Intercession
Andrew Murray

British Dictionary definitions for diagnosis

diagnosis

noun plural -ses (-siːz)

the identification of diseases by the examination of symptoms and signs and by other investigations
an opinion or conclusion so reached

thorough analysis of facts or problems in order to gain understanding and aid future planning
an opinion or conclusion reached through such analysis

a detailed description of an organism, esp a plant, for the purpose of classification

Word Origin for diagnosis

C17: New Latin, from Greek: a distinguishing, from diagignōskein to distinguish, from gignōskein to perceive, know

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for diagnosis

1680s, medical Latin application of Greek diagnosis "a discerning, distinguishing," from stem of diagignoskein "discern, distinguish," literally "to know thoroughly," from dia- "apart" (see dia-) + gignoskein "to learn" (see gnostic).

Medicine definitions for diagnosis

diagnosis

[dī′əg-nō′sĭs]

n. pl. di•ag•no•ses (-sēz)

The act or process of identifying or determining the nature and cause of a disease or injury through evaluation of patient history, examination, and review of laboratory data.

The opinion derived from such an evaluation.

A brief description of the distinguishing characteristics of an organism, as for taxonomic classification.

Science definitions for diagnosis