[simp-tuh
m] 
| 1. | any phenomenon or circumstance accompanying something and serving as evidence of it. |
| 2. | a sign or indication of something. |
| 3. | Pathology. a phenomenon that arises from and accompanies a particular disease or disorder and serves as an indication of it. |
| symp·tom (sĭm'təm, sĭmp'-) n.
[Middle English sinthoma, symptom of a disease, from Medieval Latin sinthōma, from Late Latin symptōma, from Greek sumptōma, sumptōmat-, a happening, symptom of a disease, from sumpiptein, sumptō-, to coincide : sun-, syn- + piptein, to fall; see pet- in Indo-European roots.] symp'tom·less adj. |
symptom symp·tom (sĭm'təm, sĭmp'-)
n.
An indication of disorder or disease, especially when experienced by an individual as a change from normal function, sensation, or appearance. Also called sign.
| symptom (sĭm'təm) Pronunciation Key
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. Compare sign. |