symptomatic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite characteristic or indicative of a disease
    diagnostic.
    • a diagnostic sign of yellow fever
    • a rash symptomatic of scarlet fever
    • symptomatic of insanity
    • a rise in crime symptomatic of social breakdown
  2. adjective relating to or according to or affecting a symptom or symptoms
    • symptomatic relief
    • symptomatic treatment
    • a symptomatic classification of diseases

WordNet

Symp`tom*at"ic, Symp`tom*at"ic*al adjective (Also<
  • Symptomatic
  • Symptomatical
)
Etymology
Cf. F. symptomatique, Gr. causal.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to symptoms; happening in concurrence with something; being a symptom; indicating the existence of something else.
    Symptomatic of a shallow understanding and an unamiable temper. Macaulay.
  2. According to symptoms; as, a symptomatical classification of diseases. -- Symp`tom*at"ic*al*ly, adv.

Webster 1913