cataract
[ kat-uh-rakt ]
/ ˈkæt əˌrækt /
noun
a descent of water over a steep surface; a waterfall, especially one of considerable size.
any furious rush or downpour of water; deluge.
Ophthalmology.
- an abnormality of the eye, characterized by opacity of the lens.
- the opaque area.
Origin of cataract
1350–1400; Middle English
cataracte < Latin
catar(r)acta < Greek
katarráktēs waterfall, floodgate, portcullis (noun), downrushing (adj.), akin to
katarássein to dash down, equivalent to
kat-
cata- +
arássein to smite
OTHER WORDS FROM cataract
cat·a·rac·tal, cat·a·rac·tous, adjective cat·a·ract·ed, adjectiveWords nearby cataract
Example sentences from the Web for cataract
British Dictionary definitions for cataract
cataract
/ (ˈkætəˌrækt) /
noun
a large waterfall or rapids
a deluge; downpour
pathol
- partial or total opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye
- the opaque area
Word Origin for cataract
C15: from Latin
catarracta, from Greek
katarrhaktēs, from
katarassein to dash down, from
arassein to strike
Medical definitions for cataract
cataract
[ kăt′ə-răkt′ ]
n.
Opacity of the lens or capsule of the eye, causing impairment of vision or blindness.
Other words from cataract
cat′a•rac′tous (-răk′təs) adj.Scientific definitions for cataract
cataract
[ kăt′ə-răkt′ ]
An opacity of the lens of the eye or the membrane that covers it, causing impairment of vision or blindness.
A waterfall in which a large volume of water flows over a steep precipice.