fingerprint

fingerprint definition - medical

fin·ger·print (fĭngˈgər-prĭntˌ)

noun
  1. An impression on a surface of the curves formed by the ridges on a fingertip, especially such an impression made in ink and used as a means of identification.
  2. A distinctive or identifying mark or characteristic.
  3. An analytical method capable of making fine distinctions between similar compounds.
verb
  1. To take fingerprints of.
  2. To identify by a distinctive mark or characteristic.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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