symptom
/ˈsɪm(p)təm/ noun B1- A perceived change in some function, sensation or appearance of a person that indicates a disease or disorder, such as fever, headache or rash; strictly, a symptom is felt or experienced by the patient, while a sign can be detected by an observer. · The doctor told that his coughing and sneezing was the symptom of standing for too long in the rain.· Swollen breasts, morning sickness, and a missed period are classic symptoms of pregnancy.
- A signal; anything that indicates, or is characteristic of, the presence of something else, especially of something undesirable. · Lying, hiding one's true feelings, and having affairs are typical symptoms of a doomed marriage.
Plural symptoms
From the library
He had been struck to the heart by a frightful recollection—the conversation he had heard between the doctor and Villefort the night of Madame de Saint-Méran’s death, recurred to him; these symptoms, to a less alarming extent, were the same which had preceded the death of Barrois.
Could there be finer symptoms?
Elizabeth looked at Darcy, to see how cordially he assented to his cousin’s praise: but neither at that moment nor at any other could she discern any symptom of love; and from the whole of his behaviour to Miss De Bourgh she derived this comfort for Miss Bingley, that he might have been just as likely to marry _her_, had she been his relation.
Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard; and I remained convinced, from the evening’s scrutiny, that though she received his attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation of sentiment.
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