diagnosis

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diagnosis (dy-ăg-noh-sis) n. the process of determining the nature of a disorder by considering the patient's signs and symptoms, medical background, and – when necessary – results of laboratory tests and X-ray examinations. differential d. diagnosis of a condition whose signs and/or symptoms are shared by various other conditions. See also prenatal diagnosis. Compare prognosis.
—diagnostic (dy-ăg-noss-tik) adj.

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