Symp'tom, n.

(84), n. [Fr. symptôme, Sp. síntoma, It. sintoma, sintomo, Gr. σύμπτωμα, from συμπίπτειν, to fall together, from σύν, with, and πίπτειν, to fall, πτῶμα, a fall.]

1. Properly, something that happens in concurrence with another thing, as an attendant.
2. (Med.) Hence, any affection which accompanies disease; a perceptible change in the body or its functions, which indicates disease; as, the causes of disease often lie beyond our sight, but we learn their nature by the symptoms exhibited.
3. A sign or token; that which indicates the existence of something else: as, open murmurs of the people are a symptom of disaffection to law or government.

Syn.—Mark; note; sign; token: indication.