symptom

[simp-tuhm]

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.

symptom

/ 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

symptom

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

Other Word Forms

• presymptom noun
• symptomless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of symptom¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of symptom¹

C16: from Late Latin symptōma, from Greek sumptōma chance, from sumpiptein to occur, from _syn- + piptein to fall

Example Sentences

Ms Barlow-Ford, who was diagnosed in 2012, said she was led to believe a hysterectomy would help her symptoms, but it had little impact and she suffered further complications after the surgery.

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"This suggests that how people anticipate and interpret gut sensations can strongly influence their symptoms," she said.

Read more on Science Daily

For those with severe symptoms, daily life can become overwhelming.

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But they’re a symptom of a broader problem: of a deep private credit system with the potential to unravel faster than anyone can track.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Lammy suggested the mistaken release of Kebatu was a "symptom" of the prison system Labour inherited from the previous Conservative government.

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Related Words

• manifestation 
• syndrome