Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
cataract - 8 dictionary results
cat⋅a⋅ract
[kat-uh-rakt]
–noun
| 1. | a descent of water over a steep surface; a waterfall, esp. one of considerable size. |
| 2. | any furious rush or downpour of water; deluge. |
| 3. | Ophthalmology.
|
Origin:
1350–1400; ME cataracte < L catar(r)acta < Gk katarráktēs waterfall, floodgate, portcullis (n.), downrushing (adj.), akin to katarássein to dash down, equiv. to kat- cata- + arássein to smite
1350–1400; ME cataracte < L catar(r)acta < Gk katarráktēs waterfall, floodgate, portcullis (n.), downrushing (adj.), akin to katarássein to dash down, equiv. to kat- cata- + arássein to smite

Related forms:
cat⋅a⋅rac⋅tal, cat⋅a⋅rac⋅tous, adjective
cat⋅a⋅ract⋅ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To cataract
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cataract
Cat"a*ract\, n. [L. cataracta, catarracles, a waterfall, Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? to break down; in the passive, to fall or rush down (of tumors) to burst; kata` down + ? to break.]1. A great fall of water over a precipice; a large waterfall. 2. (Surg.) An opacity of the crystalline lens, or of its capsule, which prevents the passage of the rays of light and impairs or destroys the sight. 3. (Mach.) A kind of hydraulic brake for regulating the action of pumping engines and other machines; -- sometimes called dashpot.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : cataract
Spanish:
catarata,
German:
grauer Star,
Japanese:
白内障
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
cataract
1430, from L. cataracta "waterfall," from Gk. katarhaktes "swooping, rushing down," from kata "down" + arhattein "to strike hard." Its alternate sense in L. of "portcullis" was probably passed through M.Fr. to form the Eng. meaning "eye disease" (1547), on the notion of "obstruction."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Main Entry: cat·a·ract
Pronunciation: 'kat-&-"rakt
Function: noun
: a clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparentmembrane that obstructs the passage of light
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
cataract cat·a·ract (kāt'ə-rākt')
n.
Opacity of the lens or capsule of the eye, causing impairment of vision or blindness.
cat'a·rac'tous (-rāk'təs) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
cataract (kāt'ə-rākt') Pronunciation Key
|
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
>

