opportunistic
[ op-er-too-nis-tik, -tyoo- ]
/ ˌɒp ər tuˈnɪs tɪk, -tyu- /
|
adjective
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.
Nearby words
- opponency,
- opponent,
- opportune,
- opportunism,
- opportunist,
- opportunistic infection,
- opportunity,
- opportunity cost,
- opportunity shop,
- opposable
Origin of opportunistic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for opportunistically
We now have more capital than we anticipated, [which will] allow us to opportunistically build what we have not been able to do.
We must go at it seriously and scientifically and solidly, not superficially, casually, and opportunistically.
opportunistic
/ (ˌɒpətjʊˈnɪstɪk) /
adjective
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
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
opportunistic
1889, see opportunist + -ic. Related: Opportunistically.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
opportunistic
[ ŏp′ər-tōō-nĭs′tĭk ]
adj.
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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.