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astigmatism

 [uh-stig-muh-tiz-uhm]   Origin

a·stig·ma·tism

   [uh-stig-muh-tiz-uhm]
noun
1.
Also called a·stig·mi·a  [uh-stig-mee-uh] . Ophthalmology. a refractive error of the eye in which parallel rays of light from an external source do not converge on a single focal point on the retina.
2.
Optics. an aberration of a lens or other optical system in which the image of a point is spread out along the axis of the system.
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Origin:
1840–50; astigmat(ic) + -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
astigmatism or astigmia (əˈstɪɡməˌtɪzəm, əˈstɪɡmɪə)
 
—n
1.  a defect of a lens resulting in the formation of distorted images; caused by the curvature of the lens being different in different planes
2.  faulty vision resulting from defective curvature of the cornea or lens of the eye
 
astigmia or astigmia
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

astigmatism
coined (in form astigmatic) 1849 by the Rev. William Whewell (17941866), Eng. polymath, from Gk. a- "without" + stigmatos gen. of stigma "a mark, spot, puncture" (see stick (v.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

astigmatism a·stig·ma·tism (ə-stĭg'mə-tĭz'əm)
n.
A condition in which unequal curvatures along the different meridians in one or more of the refractive surfaces of the eye cause the rays from a light source not to be focused at a single point on the retina. Also called astigmia.

as'tig·mat'ic (ās'tĭg-māt'ĭk) adj. & n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
astigmatism   (ə-stĭg'mə-tĭz'əm)  Pronunciation Key 


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A visual defect in which the unequal curvature of one or more refractive surfaces of the eye, usually the cornea, prevents light rays from focusing clearly at a single point on the retina, resulting in blurred vision.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
astigmatism [(uh-stig-muh-tiz-uhm)]

A condition in which the curvature of the cornea of the eye is uneven, causing a blurring of vision. Astigmatism is normally corrected by glasses.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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