cataract

[ kat-uh-rakt ]
/ ˈkæt əˌrækt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR cataract ON THESAURUS.COM

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.
  1. an abnormality of the eye, characterized by opacity of the lens.
  2. 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, adjective

Words nearby cataract

cataplane, cataplasia, cataplasm, cataplexy, catapult, cataract, cataractogenic, catarrh, catarrhal fever, catarrhal gastritis, catarrhal inflammation

Words related to cataracted

rush, drain, stream, spill, spew, flow, flood, cascade, splash, gush, discharge, swarm, plunge, crash, collapse, tumble, dive, subside, settle, slide

British Dictionary definitions for cataracted

cataract
/ (ˈkætəˌrækt) /

noun

a large waterfall or rapids
a deluge; downpour
pathol
  1. partial or total opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye
  2. 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 cataracted

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 cataracted

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.

Cultural definitions for cataracted

cataract
[ (kat-uh-rakt) ]

A loss in the transparency of the lens of the eye, which reduces a person's ability to see. The condition can be treated by surgically removing the lens and replacing it with an artificial one, or with corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.