1. characteristic: typical or indicative of something, especially something undesirable symptomatic of the breakdown in communication between children and parents
2. medicine indicating illness: indicating or typical of a particular illness
3. medicine of symptoms: relating to, affecting, or based on a symptom or symptoms of bodily disorder Only symptomatic relief is available for the common cold.
[Late 17th century. < late Latin symptomaticus< symptoma (see symptom)]
