scotoma

[skoh-toh-muh]

noun

Pathology.

plural

scotomas, scotomata 

1. loss of vision in a part of the visual field; blind spot.

scotoma

/ skɒˈtəʊmə, skɒˈtɒmətəs /

noun

1. pathol a blind spot; a permanent or temporary area of depressed or absent vision caused by lesions of the visual system, viewing the sun directly ( eclipse scotoma ), squinting, etc

2. psychol a mental blind spot; inability to understand or perceive certain matters

Other Word Forms

• scotomatous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scotoma¹

1535–45; < Late Latin < Greek skótōma dizziness. See scoto-, -oma

Word History and Origins

Origin of scotoma¹

C16: via Medieval Latin from Greek skotōma giddiness, from skotoun to make dark, from skotos darkness

Example Sentences

Another memorable image is a scientific illustration of “a scintillating scotoma, one of many manifestations of migraine aura.”

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In the spectrum’s wake was an area of diminished vision called a scotoma.

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Harris’ attempted self-exoneration didn’t help, either — it merely revealed a moral scotoma in his understanding of gender, sexism and related issues.

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When he closed his left eye Sacks “amputated” his leg by moving his gaze until it was contained within the scotoma.

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He even pulled out a fancy word — scotoma — to explain the philosophy.

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