cataract

cataract
noun Etymology: Latin cataracta waterfall, portcullis, from Greek kataraktēs, from katarassein to dash down, from kata- + arassein to strike, dash Date: 14th century 1. [Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French catharacte, from Medieval Latin cataracta, from Latin, portcullis] a clouding of the lens of the eye or of its surrounding transparent membrane that obstructs the passage of light 2. a. obsolete waterspout b. waterfall; especially a large one over a precipice c. steep rapids in a river d. downpour, flood <
cataracts of rain
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cataracts of information
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cataractous adjective

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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Synonyms:
, , / , (from opacity of the crystalline lens)


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  • Cataract — Cat a*ract, n. [L. cataracta, catarracles, a waterfall, Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? to break down; in the passive, to fall or rush down (of tumors) to burst; kata down + ? to break.] 1. A great fall of water over a precipice; a large waterfall. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • cataract — n *flood, deluge, inundation, torrent, spate …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • cataract — ► NOUN 1) a large waterfall. 2) a medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision. ORIGIN Latin cataracta waterfall, floodgate , also portcullis (sense 2 probably being a figurative use of… …   English terms dictionary

  • Cataract — For other uses, see Cataract (disambiguation). Cataract Classification and external resources Magnified view of cataract in human eye, seen on examination with a slit lamp using diffuse illumination …   Wikipedia

  • Cataract — A clouding of the lens of the eye. The normally clear aspirin sized lens of the eye starts to become cloudy. The result is much like smearing grease over the lens of a camera. It impairs normal vision. There are many causes of cataracts including …   Medical dictionary

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