prognosis

views updated May 29 2018

prog·no·sis / prägˈnōsəs/ • n. (pl. -ses / -ˌsēz/ ) the likely course of a disease or ailment: the disease has a poor prognosis. ∎  a forecast of the likely course of a disease or ailment: it is very difficult to make an accurate prognosis. ∎  a forecast of the likely outcome of a situation: gloomy prognoses about overpopulation.

prognosis

views updated May 29 2018

prognosis forecast of the course of a case of disease. XVII. — Late L. prognōsis — Gr. prógnōsis, f. progignṓskein know beforehand; see PRO-2.
So prognostic previous indication or token XV; symptom XVI. Earlier form pron- — OF. pronostique (mod. -ic) — L. prognōsticum, -con — Gr. prognōstikón, sb. use of n. of adj. f. progignṓskein; see -IC. prognosticate (-ATE3) XVI. f. pp. stem of medL. pro(g)nōsticāre.

prognosis

views updated Jun 08 2018

prognosis Doctor's prediction regarding the likely course and outcome of a patient's disorder. The prognosis is based on a doctor's knowledge of the disorder, the patient and the probable effects of treatment.

prognosis

views updated May 29 2018

prognosis (prog-noh-sis) n. an assessment of the future course and outcome of a patient's disease.