Diagnosis /(?)/

Di·ag·no·sis

Diagnosis

n.

pl. Diagnoses

  1. 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. (Med.)
  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.
    — Compton Reade.
    My diagnosis of his character proved correct.
    — J. Payn.

Phrases & Compounds

Differential diagnosis
the determination of the distinguishing characteristics as between two similar diseases or conditions.