presumptive positive
[ pri-zuhmp-tiv poz-i-tiv ]
/ prɪˈzʌmp tɪv ˈpɒz ɪ tɪv /
adjective
Pathology. 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.
of or relating to a preliminary test indicating the presence of a substance or pathogen, but which requires confirmation by more rigorous laboratory analysis: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
a presumptive positive test result.
QUIZZES
TAKE THIS QUIZ IF A DAZZLING VOCABULARY IS YOUR DESIDERATUM!
Have the Words of the Day from October 19–25, 2020, made an indelible mark on your memory? Take the quiz to find out!
Question 1 of 7
What does “clement” mean?
Also pre·sumed pos·i·tive [pri-zoomd-poz-i-tiv] /prɪˈzumd ˈpɒz ɪ tɪv/ .
Origin of presumptive positive
First recorded in 1910–15
Words nearby presumptive positive
presumption of innocence, presumption of law, presumption of survivorship, presumptive, presumptive heir, presumptive positive, presumptuous, presuppose, presupposition, presuppurative, presurmise
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020