symptom
UK: ˈsɪmptəm | US: ˈsɪmptəm
n. a physical or mental feature indicating a condition or disease
n. a sign of the existence of something, especially something undesirable
symptom = sym<together> + ptom<fall>
- sym<together>: From Greek syn-, meaning "together" or "with."
- ptom<fall>: From Greek ptōma, meaning "a fall" or "casualty," derived from piptein ("to fall").
Etymology Origin:
The word "symptom" originates from Greek symptōma ("a happening, accident, symptom"), combining sym- (together) and ptōma (a fall). The term metaphorically evolved to mean "a sign that something has occurred" (like a fall or event), later narrowing to its medical sense of observable indicators of disease. The logic reflects how symptoms "fall together" to reveal an underlying condition.
Fever is a common symptom of infection.
The rash appeared as an early symptom of the allergy.
His fatigue was a symptom of stress.
The economic downturn is a symptom of deeper systemic issues.
She ignored the symptoms until her condition worsened.