scotoma

[skoh-toh-muh]

noun, plural sco·to·mas, sco·to·ma·ta [skoh-toh-muh-tuh] /skoʊˈtoʊ mə tə/. Pathology.

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

Origin of scotoma

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

Related formssco·tom·a·tous

[skoh-tom-uh-tuh s] /skoʊˈtɒm ə təs/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for scotomata

scotoma

noun plural -mas or -mata (-mətə)

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

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

Derived Formsscotomatous (skɒˈtɒmətəs), adjective

Word Origin for scotoma

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

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

Word Origin and History for scotomata

scotoma

(plural scotomata), 1540s, from Late Latin scotoma, from Greek skotoma "dizziness," from skotoun "to darken," from skotos "darkness" (see shade).

scotomata in Medicine

scotoma

[skə-tō′mə]

n. pl. sco•to•mas

An area of diminished vision within the visual field.

blind spot