symptom

4 definitions • 5 examples

any feeling of illness or physical or mental change that is caused by a particular disease:

He's complaining of all the usual flu symptoms - a high temperature, headache, and so on.

He's been HIV-positive for six years, but just recently he's started to develop the symptoms of AIDS.

any single problem that is caused by and shows a more serious and general problem:

It's her feeling that the recent outbreaks of violence are a symptom of the dissatisfaction that is currently affecting our society.

any feeling of illness or physical or mental change that is caused by a disease:

Muscle aches and fever are symptoms of the flu.

A symptom is also a situation or problem that seems to represent a more serious and general problem:

This endless debate is a symptom of our lack of confidence.