(~s)
1.
A ~ is a medical condition that is characterized by a particular group of signs and symptoms.
Irritable bowel ~ seems to affect more women than men...
N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES
see also Down’s ~ , premenstrual ~
2.
You can refer to an undesirable condition that is characterized by a particular type of activity or behaviour as a ~.
It’s a bit like the exam ~ where you write down everything you know regardless of what has been asked...
N-COUNT: usu sing, usu supp N