amnesia

[ am-nee-zhuh ]
/ æmˈni ʒə /

noun

loss of a large block of interrelated memories; complete or partial loss of memory caused by brain injury, shock, etc.

Origin of amnesia

1780–90; < New Latin < Greek amnēsía, variant of amnēstía oblivion; perhaps learnedly formed from mnē-, stem of mimnḗskesthai to remember (cf. mnemonic) + -s- + -ia -ia. See amnesty

OTHER WORDS FROM amnesia

am·nes·tic [am-nes-tik] /æmˈnɛs tɪk/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for amnesia

British Dictionary definitions for amnesia

amnesia
/ (æmˈniːzjə, -ʒjə, -zɪə) /

noun

a defect in memory, esp one resulting from pathological cause, such as brain damage or hysteria

Derived forms of amnesia

amnesiac (æmˈniːzɪˌæk) or amnesic (æmˈniːsɪk, -zɪk), adjective, noun

Word Origin for amnesia

C19: via New Latin from Greek: forgetfulness, probably from amnēstia oblivion; see amnesty

Medical definitions for amnesia

amnesia
[ ăm-nēzhə ]

n.

The loss or impairment of memory.

Scientific definitions for amnesia

amnesia
[ ăm-nēzhə ]

Partial or total loss of memory, usually caused by brain injury or shock.

Cultural definitions for amnesia

amnesia
[ (am-nee-zhuh) ]

A loss of memory, especially one brought on by some distressing or shocking experience.

notes for amnesia

A common variant is selective amnesia; the term is applied to public officials who, when questioned about alleged wrongdoing, profess that they cannot remember.