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definitions

symptom

[simp-tuhm]
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noun

any phenomenon or circumstance accompanying something and serving as evidence of it.
a sign or indication of something.
Pathology. a phenomenon that arises from and accompanies a particular disease or disorder and serves as an indication of it.

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RELATED WORDS

syndrome, manifestation, index, mark, note, token, warning, indication, evidence, expression, significant, indicia

Origin of symptom

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin symptōma < Greek sýmptōma occurrence, that which falls together with something, equivalent to sym- sym- + ptō- (variant stem of píptein to fall) + -ma noun suffix of result
Related formspre·symp·tom, noun

Synonyms for symptom

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR symptom ON THESAURUS.COM
2. signal, token, mark.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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British Dictionary definitions for symptom

symptom

noun

med any sensation or change in bodily function experienced by a patient that is associated with a particular diseaseCompare sign (def. 9)
any phenomenon or circumstance accompanying something and regarded as evidence of its existence; indication
Derived Formssymptomless, adjective

Word Origin for symptom

C16: from Late Latin symptōma, from Greek sumptōma chance, from sumpiptein to occur, from syn- + piptein to fall
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for symptom
n.

1540s, earlier sinthoma (late 14c.), from Medieval Latin sinthoma "symptom of a disease," from Late Latin symptoma, from Greek symptoma (genitive symptomatos) "a happening, accident, disease," from stem of sympiptein "to befall," from syn- "together" (see syn-) + piptein "to fall," from PIE *pi-pt-, reduplicated form of root *pet- "to rush; to fly" (see petition (n.)). Spelling altered in English by influence of Middle French and Late Latin forms. Symptomatic in general sense of "indicative (of)" is from 1751.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for symptom

symptom

[sĭm′təm, sĭmp′-]

n.

A subjective indication of a disorder or disease, such as pain, nausea, or weakness.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for symptom

symptom

[sĭm′təm]

A subjective indication of a disorder or disease, such as pain, nausea or weakness. Symptoms may be accompanied by objective signs of disease such as abnormal laboratory test results or findings during a physical examination. Compare sign.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.