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glaucoma

 - 6 dictionary results

glau⋅co⋅ma

[glaw-koh-muh, glou-]
–noun
Ophthalmology. abnormally high fluid pressure in the eye, most commonly caused either by blockage of the channel through which aqueous humor drains (open-angle glaucoma or chronic glaucoma) or by pressure of the iris against the lens, which traps the aqueous humor (angle-closure glaucoma or acute glaucoma).

Origin:
1635–45; < Gk glaúkōma opacity of the eye lens. See glauc-, -oma


glau⋅co⋅ma⋅tous [glaw-koh-muh-tuhs, -kom-uh-, glou-] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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glau·co·ma   (glou-kō'mə, glô-)   
n.  Any of a group of eye diseases characterized by abnormally high intraocular fluid pressure, damaged optic disk, hardening of the eyeball, and partial to complete loss of vision.

[Latin glaucōma, cataract, from Greek glaukōma, from glaukos, gray.]
glau·co'ma·tous (-kō'mə-təs) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

glaucoma [(glow-koh-muh, glaw-koh-muh)]

A disease of the eye marked by increased fluid pressure in the eyeball. Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and may result in blindness if not treated. Surgery may be required for severe cases.

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

glaucoma 
1643, from Gk. glaukoma "cataract, opacity of the lens" (cataracts and glaucoma not distinguished until c.1705), from glaukos, an adj. of uncertain origin, used in Homer of the sea as "gleaming, silvery" (apparently without a color connotation); used later with a sense of "bluish-green, gray," of olive leaves and eyes. Homer's glauk-opis Athene could be a "bright-eyed" or a "gray-eyed" goddess. Gk. for "owl" was glauk- from its bright, staring eyes.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: glau·co·ma
Pronunciation: glau-'kO-m&, glo-
Function: noun
: a disease of the eye marked by increased pressure within theeyeball that can result in damage to the optic disk and gradual loss of vision
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

glaucoma glau·co·ma (glou-kō'mə, glô-)
n.
Any of a group of eye diseases characterized by abnormally high intraocular fluid pressure, damaged optic disk, hardening of the eyeball, and partial to complete loss of vision.


glau·co'ma·tous (-kō'mə-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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