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presumptive negative

[ pri-zuhmp-tiv neg-uh-tiv ]
/ prɪˈzʌmp tɪv ˈnɛg ə tɪv /
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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.
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Also called pre·sumed neg·a·tive [pri-zoomd-neg-uh-tiv] /prɪˈzumd ˈnɛg ə tɪv/ .

Origin of presumptive negative

First recorded in 1905–10
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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