alexia

[uh-lek-see-uh]

noun Pathology.

a neurologic disorder marked by loss of the ability to understand written or printed language, usually resulting from a brain lesion or a congenital defect.

Origin of alexia

1875–80; a-⁶ + Greek léx(is) speech (leg- stem of légein to speak + -sis -sis) + -ia; altered meaning by association of -lex- with lexicon, etc.

Also called word blindness.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for alexia

Contemporary Examples of alexia

As a mother to three daughters, Catharina-Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane, Máxima has passed her style down to the next generation.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands Is a New Style Icon
Erin Cunningham
May 3, 2013
“What was discovered in Daraya is horrible,” says a Damascus activist who goes by the name Alexia Jade.
Syrian Uprising Body Count Spikes as Assad Forces Massacre Civilians
Mike Giglio
August 27, 2012

Historical Examples of alexia

In the midst of them, Polly saw the face of the doctor who had just fixed Alexia's arm.
Five Little Peppers at School
Margaret Sidney
She said it very distinctly, Alexia, and all the girls talked about it afterward.
Five Little Peppers at School
Margaret Sidney
Polly swallowed hard, and held Alexia's hand tighter than ever.
Five Little Peppers at School
Margaret Sidney
“No, I was laughing,” said Alexia, pulling up her face red and shining.
Five Little Peppers at School
Margaret Sidney
The ring was in a hubbub; Alexia, as usual, the first to hop out of her place.
Five Little Peppers at School
Margaret Sidney

British Dictionary definitions for alexia

alexia

noun

a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by impaired ability to readNontechnical name: word blindness Compare aphasia

Word Origin for alexia

C19: from New Latin, from a- 1 + Greek lexis speech; influenced in meaning by Latin legere to read

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

alexia in Medicine

alexia

[ə-lĕk′sē-ə]

Loss of the ability to comprehend the meaning of written or printed words and sentences, usually caused by brain lesions.text blindness visual aphasia word blindness

Related formsa•lex′ic adj.