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opportunistic

 - 4 dictionary results

op⋅por⋅tun⋅is⋅tic

[op-er-too-nis-tik, -tyoo-]
–adjective
1. adhering to a policy of opportunism; practicing opportunism.
2. Pathology.
a. (of a microorganism) causing disease only under certain conditions, as when a person's immune system is impaired.
b. (of a disease or infection) caused by such an organism: Pneumocystis pneumonia is an opportunistic disease that often strikes victims of AIDS.

Origin:
1890–95; opportunist + -ic


op⋅por⋅tun⋅is⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To opportunistic
op·por·tun·is·tic   (ŏp'ər-tōō-nĭs'tĭk, -tyōō-)   
adj.  Taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: op·por·tu·nist·ic
Pronunciation: -t(y)ü-'nis-tik
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or being amicroorganism that is usually harmless but can become pathogenic when the host's resistance to disease is impaired
2 : of, relating to, or being an infection or disease caused byan opportunistic organism opportunistic infections that kill AIDS patients —New York Times>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

opportunistic op·por·tun·is·tic (ŏp'ər-t&oomacr;-nĭs'tĭk, -ty&oomacr;-)
adj.

  1. Of or relating to an organism capable of causing disease only in a host whose resistance is lowered.

  2. Of or relating to a disease caused by an opportunistic organism.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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