opportunistic
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op·por·tu·nis·tic

adjective \-tü-ˈnis-tik, -tyü-\

Definition of OPPORTUNISTIC

: taking advantage of opportunities as they arise: as
a : exploiting opportunities with little regard to principle or consequences <a politician considered opportunistic>
b : feeding on whatever food is available <opportunistic feeders>
c : being or caused by a usually harmless microorganism that can become pathogenic when the host's resistance is impaired <opportunistic infections>
op·por·tu·nis·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

First Known Use of OPPORTUNISTIC

1892

op·por·tu·nist·ic

adjective \-t(y)ü-ˈnis-tik\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of OPPORTUNISTIC

1
: of, relating to, or being a microorganism 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 by an opportunistic organism <Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and other opportunistic infections that kill AIDS patients—New York Times>

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