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presumptive negative

American

[pri-zuhmp-tiv neg-uh-tiv] / prɪˈzʌmp tɪv ˈnɛg ə tɪv /

adjective

of or relating to a negative test for a disease or medical condition that was done in a local laboratory, but whose results have not been officially confirmed by a public health agency or organization.
of or relating to a preliminary test indicating the absence of a substance or pathogen, but which requires confirmation by more rigorous laboratory analysis.

noun

a presumptive negative test result.

Etymology

Origin of presumptive negative

First recorded in 1905–10

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.