Diagnosis
Diagnosis , noun
[New Latin, from Greek dia`gnwsis, from diagignw`skw to distinguish; dia` through, asunder + gignw`skw to know. See Know.]
1.
(Medicine) The art or act of recognizing the presence of disease from its signs or symptoms, and deciding as to its character; also, the decision arrived at.
2.
Hence, the act or process of identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon, especially the abnormal behavior of an animal or artifactual device; as, diagnosis of a vibration in an automobile; diagnosis of the failure of a sales campaign; diagnosis of a computer malfunction.
3.
Scientific determination of any kind; the concise description of characterization of a species.
4.
Critical perception or scrutiny; judgment based on such scrutiny; esp., perception of, or judgment concerning, motives and character.
The quick eye for effects, the clear diagnosis of men's minds, and the love of epigram.
My diagnosis of his character proved correct.
Collocations (1)
Differential diagnosis (Medicine) , the determination of the distinguishing characteristics as between two similar diseases or conditions.