Where does “symptom” come from?
Symptom comes from Ancient Greek σύμπτωμα, composed of σύν (together) and πίπτω (to fall), with the noun-forming suffix -μα, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European som- and sem-.
symptom (English): A perceived change in some function, sensation or...
Definitions
- A perceived change in some function, sensation or...
Ancestry of “symptom”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | σύμπτωμα | anything that has befallen one, a chance,... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | συμπίπτω | I fall together, meet violently; I fall upon,... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | σῠν- | together; with, together |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | σύν | beside, with |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | *ksún | — |
Words derived from “symptom”