syndrome

noun

1. A 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”

   “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 […]”

   “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.”

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”

   “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.”

   “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 ...”

   “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.”