presumptive positive

[ pri-zuhmp-tiv poz-i-tiv ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a positive 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. An individual whose test result is presumptive positive is nonetheless treated as a confirmed case as a precaution.

   They detected several presumptive positive cases of infection.

2. of or relating to a preliminary test indicating the presence of a substance or pathogen, but which requires confirmation by more rigorous laboratory analysis: A positive drug test in the workplace is usually only presumptive positive, and it requires confirmation by a laboratory before any disciplinary action would be taken against an employee.

   In testing meat for the presence of harmful salmonella bacteria, presumptive positive meat samples were cultured in a laboratory to confirm any contamination before ordering a recall from stores.

   A positive drug test in the workplace is usually only presumptive positive, and it requires confirmation by a laboratory before any disciplinary action would be taken against an employee.

noun

1. a presumptive positive test result.

Word History and Origins

Origin of presumptive positive¹

First recorded in 1910–15