An early symptom that a disease is developing or that an attack is about to occur

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
In medicine , a prodrome is an early symptom (or set of symptoms) that might indicate the start of a disease before specific symptoms occur. It is derived from the Greek word prodromos , meaning "precursor". Prodromes may be non-specific symptoms or, in ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. an early symptom that a disease is developing or that an attack is about to occur [syn: prodroma ]

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Prodrome \Pro"drome\, n. [Gr. ? running before; ? before + ? to run: cf. F. prodrome.] A forerunner; a precursor. (Med.) A premonitory symptom; a symptom or sensation experienced by a person which presages the onset of a disease or abnormal physiological ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1640s, from French prodrome (16c.), from Modern Latin prodromus , from Greek prodromos "a running forward, a sally, sudden attack," from pro- "forward" (see pro- ) + dromos "a running" (see dromedary ).

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
a. (context obsolete English) prodromous. n. 1 (context rare English) A precursor or harbinger; also a warning event. 2 An introductory or preliminary book or treatise. (See also prodromus) 3 (context medicine English) An early symptom warning of the onset ...