diagnostic

[dahy-uhg-nos-tik]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or used in diagnosis.

2. serving to identify or characterize; being a precise indication.

noun

1. diagnosis.

2. a symptom or characteristic of value in diagnosis.

3. Medicine/Medical.,  a device or substance used for the analysis or detection of diseases or other medical conditions.

4. Computers.

   1. a message output by a computer diagnosing an error in a computer program, computer system, or component device.

   2. a program or subroutine that produces such messages.

diagnostic

/ ˌdaɪəɡˈnɒstɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of value in diagnosis

noun

1. med any symptom that provides evidence for making a specific diagnosis

2. a diagnosis

Other Word Forms

• diagnostically adverb
• postdiagnostic adjective
• prediagnostic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diagnostic¹

1615–25; < Greek diagnōstikós, equivalent to diagnōst ( ós ) distinguished (akin to diágnōsis; diagnosis ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

While others had asserted the rise was due to increased awareness and broadened diagnostic criteria, Hertz-Picciotto found those factors could only partially explain it.

From Salon

Once the sea lions are brought in for treatment, they receive a full exam and a series of diagnostic tests on blood, urine and other samples, according to Rulli.

From Los Angeles Times

"But none of that was enough for people to do some diagnostic investigation."

From BBC

However, we have seen a confidential company email, sent in 2022, telling sales staff to say that "Zimmer Biomet will not cover diagnostic, follow-up or revision costs up front".

From BBC

"Direct-to-consumer tests may be appealing to the public, as they can provide diagnostic results quickly, offering privacy, confidentiality, and autonomy over healthcare decisions," says the BMJ.

From BBC