opportunistic
[op-er-too-nis-tik, -tyoo-]
- adhering to a policy of opportunism; practicing opportunism.
- Pathology.
- (of a microorganism) causing disease only under certain conditions, as when a person's immune system is impaired.
- (of a disease or infection) caused by such an organism: Pneumocystis pneumonia is an opportunistic disease that often strikes victims of AIDS.
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Origin of opportunistic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for opportunistic
Contemporary Examples
In Colombia, it was perceived more like a coincidence or perhaps even an opportunistic play by the FARC.
Venezuela Says Goodbye to Its Lil Friend, While the Rest of the Continent CheersCatalina Lobo-Guererro
December 20, 2014
Anyone with the intellect of a ping-pong ball should understand how opportunistic that whistleblowing looks.
Opportunistic, self-centered—no one could actually write a worse TV mom.
These Westerners bring (relative) wads of cash and influence, and are gladly met by opportunistic African leaders.
“His offending footprint was vast, predatory, and opportunistic,” Spindler said.
Historical Examples
The opportunistic method is strong just where the systematic is weak.
The Psychology of ArithmeticEdward L. Thorndike
We can find some opportunistic expedient, but not a solution of the problem.
The Positive School of CriminologyEnrico Ferri
Individual liberty, hard fought for under the many signs of literacy, appears to be conformistic at best, and opportunistic.
The Civilization of IlliteracyMihai Nadin
The times were ripe for the opportunistic unionism of Gompers and the trade unionists.
A History of Trade Unionism in the United StatesSelig Perlman
In spite of the high regard in which he was held, this opportunistic proposal found little favor.
An American Religious MovementWinfred Ernest Douglas
opportunistic
- of or characterized by opportunism
- med (of an infection) caused by any microorganism that is harmless to a healthy person but debilitates a person whose immune system has been weakened by disease or drug treatment
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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 opportunistic
adj.
1889, see opportunist + -ic. Related: Opportunistically.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
opportunistic
(ŏp′ər-tōō-nĭs′tĭk)- Of or relating to an organism capable of causing disease only in a host whose resistance is lowered.
- Of or relating to a disease caused by an opportunistic organism.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.