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

People will also be able to book a scan, test or procedure if they need one at a local community diagnostic centre via the app.

From BBC

The New York medical examiner “found unambiguous diagnostic evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE, in the brain tissue of the decedent,” according to a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

"If people can't find information on it, that harms patients, it contributes to diagnostic delays, but also harms healthcare professionals looking for this information."

From BBC

Autism debuted as its own diagnosis in the 1980 third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the American Psychiatric Assn.’s diagnostic bible.

From Los Angeles Times

The way the figures are collected tends to change based on diagnostic practices, awareness levels, healthcare access and cultural differences.

From BBC