symptom

American  

[simp-tuhm] / ˈsɪmp təm /

noun

1. any phenomenon or circumstance accompanying something and serving as evidence of it.

2. a sign or indication of something.

   Synonyms:

   mark, token, signal

3. Pathology. a phenomenon that arises from and accompanies a particular disease or disorder and serves as an indication of it.

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symptom British  

/ ˈsɪmptəm /

noun

1. med any sensation or change in bodily function experienced by a patient that is associated with a particular disease Compare sign

2. any phenomenon or circumstance accompanying something and regarded as evidence of its existence; indication

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symptom Scientific  

/ sĭm′təm /

1. 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.

2. Compare sign

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Other Word Forms

• presymptom noun
• symptomless adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

The key for both antivirals is starting them within 48 hours of symptom onset.

From The Wall Street Journal

In both cases, children with severe developmental symptoms were found to carry a rare mutation in PEDS1.

From Science Daily

She says for many of these patients, palliative care and managing their symptoms, mainly pain, would be preferable: "Their quality of life would be much better and we would avoid a hospital admission."

From BBC

The research took place on a quarantined floor of a Baltimore-area hotel and included five participants with confirmed influenza symptoms and 11 healthy volunteers.

From Science Daily

“Every flu season, we see reports of patients who experience lingering fatigue, cough or shortness of breath for weeks, along with other symptoms, particularly after a severe bout,” Rajnarayanan said.

From Salon

Related Words

• manifestation
• syndrome