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cataractal

 - 6 dictionary results

cat⋅a⋅ract

  [kat-uh-rakt]
Use cataractal in a Sentence
–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.
a. an abnormality of the eye, characterized by opacity of the lens.
b. the opaque area.
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

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.
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Cultural Dictionary

cataract [(kat-uh-rakt)]

A loss in the transparency of the lens of the eye, which reduces a person's ability to see. The condition can be treated by surgically removing the lens and replacing it with an artificial one, or with corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.

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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Word Origin & History

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
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Medical Dictionary

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.
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Medical Dictionary

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.
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Science Dictionary
cataract   (kāt'ə-rākt')  Pronunciation Key 

  1. An opacity of the lens of the eye or the membrane that covers it, causing impairment of vision or blindness.

  2. A waterfall in which a large volume of water flows over a steep precipice.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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