cataract
The definition of a cataract is a flood, waterfall or rush of water, or an eye disease when the lens becomes opaque, causing partial or total blindness.
(noun)- An example of a cataract is Niagara Falls.
- An example of a cataract is an eye problem where the lens in an older person's eye gets cloudy causing vision issues.
See cataract in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a large waterfall
- any strong flood or rush of water; deluge
- an eye disease in which the crystalline lens or its capsule becomes opaque, causing partial or total blindness
- the opaque area
Origin: ME cataracte, floodgate (of heaven), cataract (of the eye) < L cataracta, a waterfall, portcullis < Gr katarhaktēs < katarhassein, to dash down < kata-, down + rhassein, to strike or ? arassein, to smite
See cataract in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A large or high waterfall.
- A great downpour; a deluge.
- Pathology Opacity of the lens or capsule of the eye, causing impairment of vision or blindness.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English cataracte
Origin: , from Old French
Origin: , from Latin cataracta
Origin: , from Greek katarraktēs, kataraktēs, downrush, waterfall, portcullis
Origin: , probably from katarassein, to dash down (kat-, kata-, cata- + arassein, to strike)
Origin: . Sense 3, from a comparison to a portcullis or other falling impediment or covering
.Related Forms:
- catˌa·racˈtous (-răkˈtəs) adjective
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