asymptomatic meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

asymptomatic

adj

UK /ˌeɪsɪm(p)təˈmætɪk/ · US /ˌeɪˌsɪm(p)təˈmætɪk/

Etymology PIE word *ḱóm The adjective is derived from a- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + symptomatic. The noun is derived from the adjective.

Medicine, Sciences Not exhibiting any symptoms of disease, as for example in a case which is subclinical (“without signs detectable by physical examination or laboratory test”).

French woman taken to Paris in serious condition while American flown to Nebraska is asymptomatic, say officials[.]2026 May 11, Angelique Chrisafis, “Evacuated US and French MV Hondius passengers test positive for hantavirus”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Derived terms: asymptomatical, asymptomatically, asymptomaticity, asymptomaticly, monosymptomatic, neuroasymptomatic, oligosymptomatic, paucisymptomatic, presymptomatic

asymptomatic

noun

Etymology PIE word *ḱóm The adjective is derived from a- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + symptomatic. The noun is derived from the adjective.

Medicine, Sciences A person or an animal that exhibits no symptoms of disease.

After a 10-day observation period, group 1 was divided into subgroup 1A (symptomatics) and subgroup 1B (asymptomatics).
[S]uch a high adult prevalence of parasites emphasises the relevance of the adult malaria parasite reservoir on the transmission of disease in both children and adults and it supports the need for further consideration and research evaluation of treatment of asymptomatics, including approaches such as intermittent screening and treatment (IST) as part of an integrated malaria control programme, if malaria elimination is to be achieved.2015 July 8, Rachel Jenkins [et al.], “Prevalence of Malaria Parasites in Adults and Its Determinants in Malaria Endemic Area of Kisumu County, Kenya”, in Malaria Journal, volume 14, London: BioMed Central, →DOI, →ISSN, →OCLC, article 263, page 5, column 2:

Medicine, Sciences Preceded by the: people or animals that exhibit no symptoms of disease regarded collectively.

At the end of the observation period, those who are still symptomatic require second-line treatment, whereas the asymptomatic are discharged.