aphasia

American  

[uh-fey-zhuh] / əˈfeɪ ʒə /

noun

Pathology.

1. an impairment of a previously held ability to produce or understand spoken, written, or signed language, due to disease or injury of the brain.

---

aphasia British  

/ əˈfeɪzɪə /

noun

1. a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by partial or total loss of the ability to communicate, esp in speech or writing Compare alexia

---

aphasia Scientific  

/ ə-fā′zhə /

1. Partial or total loss of the ability to articulate ideas or comprehend spoken or written language, resulting from damage to the brain that is caused by injury or disease.

---

Other Word Forms

• aphasiac adjective

Etymology

Origin of aphasia

First recorded in 1865–70; from Greek: literally “speechlessness,” equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + phat(ós) “spoken” (derivative of phánai “to speak”) + -ia -ia

Compare meaning

How does aphasia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• aphagia vs. aphasia

Example Sentences

Bruce Willis left acting after he was diagnosed with aphasia and, a while later, with frontotemporal dementia.

From Los Angeles Times

Before the documentary’s February release, news broke that Williams had been diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.

From Los Angeles Times

On Thursday, Williams called into "The Breakfast Club" denouncing her dementia and aphasia diagnosis.

From Salon

In February, representatives for Williams revealed she had been diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier this year, representatives for Williams revealed she had been diagnosed with aphasia and contemporaneous dementia.

From Los Angeles Times