symptom
Definitions
A physical or mental sign of an illness, noticed by the patient.
症状（病人可察觉的疾病征象）。
A visible sign of a deeper or undesirable underlying problem.
（深层或不良问题的）征兆，迹象。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedsym- (together) + ptom (a falling) = 'a falling-together' — to the Greeks, something that occurred alongside a disease. A symptom is therefore never the problem itself but a visible sign pointing to a hidden cause, which is why the word stretches easily beyond medicine (a symptom of a deeper problem).
Root ptom still carries 3 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.show symptoms出现症状
- 2.common symptom常见症状
- 3.symptom of……的征兆
- 4.relieve symptoms缓解症状
- 5.mild symptoms轻微症状
Example Sentences
- 1.
A high fever is often the first symptom of the flu.
- 2.
Tell the doctor about any symptoms you've noticed.
- 3.
Long queues are a symptom of a much deeper problem.
Easily Confused
symptom vs sign — in everyday use they overlap, but in medicine they differ: a symptom is what the patient feels and reports (pain, nausea); a sign is what a doctor can observe or measure (a rash, high blood pressure). Felt by the patient → symptom; observed by others → sign.