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scotoma

[skoh-toh-muh]
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noun, plural sco·to·mas, sco·to·ma·ta [skoh-toh-muh-tuh] /skoʊˈtoʊ mə tə/. Pathology.
  1. loss of vision in a part of the visual field; blind spot.
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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. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for scotomata

scotoma

noun plural -mas or -mata (-mətə)
  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
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Derived Formsscotomatous (skɒˈtɒmətəs), adjective

Word Origin

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

n.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
scotomata in Medicine

scotoma

(skə-tō′mə)
n. pl. sco•to•mas
  1. An area of diminished vision within the visual field.
  2. blind spot
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.