cataract

[kat-uh-rakt]

noun

1. a descent of water over a steep surface; a waterfall, especially one of considerable size.

2. any furious rush or downpour of water; deluge.

3. Ophthalmology.

   1. an abnormality of the eye, characterized by opacity of the lens.

   2. the opaque area.

cataract

/ ˈkætəˌrækt /

noun

1. a large waterfall or rapids

2. a deluge; downpour

3. pathol

   1. partial or total opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye

   2. the opaque area

cataract

1. An opacity of the lens of the eye or the membrane that covers it, causing impairment of vision or blindness.

2. A waterfall in which a large volume of water flows over a steep precipice.

cataract

1. A loss in the transparency of the lens of the eye, which reduces a person's ability to see. The condition can be treated by surgically removing the lens and replacing it with an artificial one, or with corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Other Word Forms

• cataractal adjective
• cataractous adjective
• cataracted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cataract¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English cataracte, from Latin catar(r)acta, from Greek katarráktēs “waterfall, floodgate, portcullis” (noun), “downrushing” (adjective), from katarássein “to dash down,” from kat- cata- + arássein “to dash, smite”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cataract¹

C15: from Latin catarracta, from Greek katarrhaktēs, from katarassein to dash down, from arassein to strike

Example Sentences

Back in 1978, a surgeon had bungled cataract surgery, leaving him blind in his left eye.

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And Medicare only pays the bottom level of cataract replacement lens—so people typically want to pay out of pocket to get the upgraded version.

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The current pontiff understands his own papacy as presiding over a comparable cataract in history.

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In the 1990s, the ophthalmologists were building careers on performing cataract procedures.

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I have taken one vacation in 17 years, to get cataract surgery.

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