Diagnose

Definition

Diagnose refers to the process of identifying a disease, condition, or problem by examining the symptoms or other relevant data. It is commonly used in medical, technical, and problem-solving contexts.

Parts of Speech

• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌdaɪəɡˈnoʊs/
• Respelling: DY-uh-gnohss

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌdaɪəɡˈnəʊz/
• Respelling: DY-uhg-nohz

The pronunciation of "diagnose" differs slightly between American and British English, particularly in the vowel sounds of the final syllable.

Etymology

The word "diagnose" comes from the Greek word "diagignōskein," meaning "to distinguish" or "to discern." This is a combination of "dia-" meaning "apart" and "gnosis" meaning "knowledge." The term entered English in the mid-19th century, specifically in medical contexts.

Derivatives

• Diagnosis (noun)
• Diagnostic (adjective)
• Diagnostician (noun)
• Diagnosable (adjective)
• Misdiagnose (verb)

Synonyms

• Identify
• Detect
• Determine

Antonyms

• Ignore
• Overlook
• Misdiagnose

Usage

The word "diagnose" is most frequently used in medical settings to describe the process of identifying diseases or conditions in patients. It can also be applied in technical fields to refer to the detection of faults or problems in systems, machines, or devices. For example: "The doctor diagnosed the patient with pneumonia," or "The technician diagnosed the issue with the computer's hard drive."

Related Terms

• Examination: The process of looking at or into something carefully to learn about its condition.
• Analysis: Detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.
• Assessment: The evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something.

Detailed Definitions

Verb

• To identify the nature of a medical condition through examination: Refers to the process of determining a disease or condition based on symptoms and tests.
  • Example: "The doctor diagnosed the child with an allergy."
• To identify a problem in a non-medical context: Refers to the process of finding and determining the cause of an issue, such as in machines or systems.
  • Example: "The mechanic diagnosed the engine malfunction quickly."