diagnostic

[dahy-uhg-nos-tik]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or used in diagnosis.

2. serving to identify or characterize; being a precise indication.

noun

1. diagnosis.

2. a symptom or characteristic of value in diagnosis.

3. Medicine/Medical.,  a device or substance used for the analysis or detection of diseases or other medical conditions.

4. Computers.

   1. a message output by a computer diagnosing an error in a computer program, computer system, or component device.

   2. a program or subroutine that produces such messages.

diagnostic

/ ˌdaɪəɡˈnɒstɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of value in diagnosis

noun

1. med any symptom that provides evidence for making a specific diagnosis

2. a diagnosis

Other Word Forms

• diagnostically adverb
• postdiagnostic adjective
• prediagnostic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diagnostic¹

1615–25; < Greek diagnōstikós, equivalent to diagnōst ( ós ) distinguished (akin to diágnōsis; diagnosis ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

“The increase in autism diagnoses reflects improved screening, broader diagnostic criteria, and greater awareness, not a link to vaccines.”

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Scientists are now making rapid progress in understanding and treating these disorders, developing more-precise diagnostic blood tests and novel therapies, sometimes in partnership with biotech firms and pharmaceutical companies.

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The medical imaging and diagnostic company announced External link on Thursday an agreement to acquire Intelerad, a medical imaging software provider with a presence in outpatient ambulatory care settings, for $2.3 billion in cash.

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Multiple researchers have argued that the rise in autism spectrum disorder diagnoses is better explained by an expanding diagnostic definition of the disorder, along with better monitoring and diagnosis for more children.

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Analysts said Thursday they don’t see synergies between Abbott and Exact Sciences—Exact’s diagnostic tests are run in central labs, while Abbott generally sells diagnostic instruments—though they could share a sales force.

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