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symptom

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The definition of a symptom is a characteristic sign of something, especially a physical or mental sign of an illness.

(noun)

Fighting is an example of a symptom of marital breakdown that leads to divorce.
A cough is an example of a symptom of a cold.

See symptom in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

any circumstance, event, or condition that accompanies something and indicates its existence or occurrence; sign; indication
Med. any condition accompanying or resulting from a disease or a physical disorder and serving as an aid in diagnosis

Origin: altered (infl. by LL or Gr) < ME symthoma < ML sinthoma < LL symptoma < Gr symptōma, anything that has befallen one, casualty < sympiptein, to fall together, happen < syn-, together + piptein, to fall: see feather

See symptom in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A characteristic sign or indication of the existence of something else: “The affair is a symptom of a global marital disturbance; it is not the disturbance itself” (Maggie Scarf). See Synonyms at sign.
A sign or an indication of disorder or disease, especially when experienced by an individual as a change from normal function, sensation, or appearance.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English sinthoma, symptom of a disease

Origin: , from Medieval Latin sinthōma

Origin: , from Late Latin symptōma

Origin: , from Greek sumptōma, sumptōmat-, a happening, symptom of a disease

Origin: , from sumpiptein, sumptō-, to coincide

Origin: : sun-, syn-

Origin: + piptein, to fall; see pet- in Indo-European roots

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