diagnostics

UK: ˌdaɪəɡˈnɒstɪks | US: ˌdaɪəɡˈnɑːstɪks

Definition

  1. n. The practice or techniques of identifying the nature or cause of a phenomenon, especially in medicine, computing, or engineering.

  2. n. (Computing) Tools or processes used to analyze and troubleshoot system performance or errors.

Structure
dia <through>gnos <know>tics <noun suffix>
Etymology

The word "diagnostics" originates from Greek roots:

  • "dia-" (through) implies thoroughness or separation.
  • "gnos" (know) derives from "gnōsis," meaning knowledge or discernment.
  • The suffix "-tics" converts the root into a noun, denoting a field of study or practice.
    Originally used in medical contexts to describe the process of identifying diseases, its logic expanded to technical fields like computing, retaining the core idea of systematic analysis.
Examples

  1. Advanced diagnostics revealed a fault in the engine’s cooling system.

  2. The hospital invested in new diagnostics equipment for faster test results.

  3. Software diagnostics help developers identify coding errors efficiently.

  4. Her research focuses on AI-powered diagnostics for early cancer detection.

  5. The mechanic ran a diagnostics check on the car’s onboard computer.