ˈsim(p)təm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin symptomat-, symptoma, from Greek symptōmat-, symptōma chance occurrence, property that goes with something, symptom, from sympiptein to fall together, meet with, occur by chance, from syn- + piptein to fall — more at feather
1.
a. : subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance observed by the patient
headache is a symptom of many diseases
visual disturbances may be a symptom of retinal arteriosclerosis
— contrasted with sign
b. : an evident reaction to a pathogen by a plant — contrasted with sign
2.
a. : something that indicates the existence of something else
volcanoes … are symptoms of some kind of internal disorder in the earth — Howel Williams
sedition is often the symptom and not the cause of serious unrest — Zechariah Chafee
describe the symptoms which accompany a maladjustment between people and the land — P.E.James
b. : a slight indication : trace
not a symptom of a draught disturbs the air — Thomas Hardy
Synonyms: see sign