alexia

[ uh-lek-see-uh ]

nounPathology.
  1. a neurologic disorder marked by loss of the ability to understand written or printed language, usually resulting from a brain lesion or a congenital defect.

Origin of alexia

1
1875–80; a-6 + Greek léx(is) speech (leg- stem of légein to speak + -sis-sis) + -ia; altered meaning by association of -lex- with lexicon, etc.

Words Nearby alexia

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How to use alexia in a sentence

  • "alexia isn't home," said Polly, disconsolately, and feeling as if the whole world were out of joint.

    Ben Pepper | Margaret Sidney
  • And so, although Polly did not forget about alexia, it was some time before she could get Mrs. Whitney's ear to tell her about it.

    Ben Pepper | Margaret Sidney

British Dictionary definitions for alexia

alexia

/ (əˈlɛksɪə) /


noun
  1. a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by impaired ability to read: Nontechnical name: word blindness Compare aphasia

Origin of alexia

1
C19: from New Latin, from a- 1 + Greek lexis speech; influenced in meaning by Latin legere to read

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