saccade

American  

[sa-kahd, suh-] / sæˈkɑd, sə- /

noun

1. the act of checking a horse quickly with a single strong pull of the reins.

2. Ophthalmology. the series of small, jerky movements of the eyes when changing focus from one point to another.

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saccade British  

/ -ˈkeɪd, səˈkɑːd /

noun

1. the movement of the eye when it makes a sudden change of fixation, as in reading

2. a sudden check given to a horse

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Etymology

Origin of saccade

1720–30; < French saccade jerk, jolt, originally, movement of a horseman who abruptly pulls the reins, equivalent to Middle French saqu ( er ) to pull violently (N dialectal variant of Old French sachier, ultimately derivative of sac sack ¹, hence presumably with sense “withdraw from a sack”) + -ade -ade ¹

Example Sentences

When we look at the world, our unconscious eye movements or "eye saccades" also have a fractal pattern as they move over images.

From Salon

When you read normally, your eye moves in saccades, or short, rapid jumps.

From The New Yorker

And so, with slowed saccades, August swept his visual field.

From Salon

The team created three games to enhance a child’s ability to control eye movements, including saccades.

From Science Magazine

When you change your gaze, your eyes will automatically make a rapid jerking movement, known as a saccade.

From Scientific American