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amnesia
[ am-nee-zhuh ]
/ æmˈni ʒə /
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noun
loss of a large block of interrelated memories; complete or partial loss of memory caused by brain injury, shock, etc.
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Origin of amnesia
OTHER WORDS FROM amnesia
am·nes·tic [am-nes-tik], /æmˈnɛs tɪk/, adjectiveWords nearby amnesia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use amnesia in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for amnesia
amnesia
/ (æmˈniːzjə, -ʒjə, -zɪə) /
noun
a defect in memory, esp one resulting from pathological cause, such as brain damage or hysteria
Derived forms of amnesia
amnesiac (æmˈniːzɪˌæk) or amnesic (æmˈniːsɪk, -zɪk), adjective, nounWord Origin for amnesia
C19: via New Latin from Greek: forgetfulness, probably from amnēstia oblivion; see amnesty
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
Medical definitions for amnesia
amnesia
[ ăm-nē′zhə ]
n.
The loss or impairment of memory.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for amnesia
amnesia
[ ăm-nē′zhə ]
Partial or total loss of memory, usually caused by brain injury or shock.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for amnesia
amnesia
[ (am-nee-zhuh) ]
A loss of memory, especially one brought on by some distressing or shocking experience.
notes for amnesia
A common variant is selective amnesia; the term is applied to public officials who, when questioned about alleged wrongdoing, profess that they cannot remember.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.