syndrome

plural syndromes

1. medicineA recognizable pattern of signs, symptoms and/or behaviours, especially of a disease or medical or psychological condition.

   Down syndrome; acquired immune deficiency syndrome; restless-leg syndrome; battered-wife syndrome

   2 more examples

   A “zone of rarity” emerges when symptoms cluster neatly into syndromes and interforms are uncommon, although not altogether absent. Fuzzy boundaries and interforms are a special problem for PTSD […]

   2004, Gerald Rosen, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Issues and Controversies, page 127

   Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.

   2013 May-June, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, page 193

2. Any set of characteristics regarded as identifying a certain type, condition, etc., usually adverse.

   not-in-my-backyard syndrome; tip-of-the-tongue syndrome

   3 more examples

   My roommate, Tony, and I were sitting in our living room on a Saturday afternoon trying to decide what to do that night. You know the syndrome: Saturday night when everyone is supposed to do something exciting and have a great time. If you don't, you're likely to wake up on Sunday morning feeling weird and lonely.

   1980 August 9, John D'Emilio, “There's No Place Like Home”, in Gay Community News, page 8

   Fledgling superstar Jimmy Carson couldn't bear another day in Edmonton living in the void created by the departure of Wayne Gretzky, whose brokenhearted fans never accepted his replacement. It was very difficult for me to play in Edmonton in the whole Gretzky syndrome," Carson said Thurs day after a six-player trade ...

   1989 November 3, “Jimmy Carson Comes Home; He's a Redwing”, in The Argus-Press (Owesso, Michigan)^([news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=19891103&id...sjid...pg...])

   Speaking of medicine, rationalizers seem to enjoy latching on health excuses. Syndromes are a fertile field. Let's say you're accused of being unable to accept responsibility or otherwise behaving like an adult. That's not your fault, you counter—you suffer from Peter Pan Syndrome. Can't get around to cleaning up your room or office cubicle? Of course not—you suffer from tertiary Bag Lady Syndrome.

   2012, Steven D. Price, Excuses for All Occasions: Alibis Apologies and Cop-Outs That Can Get You Out of (or Into) Trouble