amnesia

am·ne·sia

noun \am-ˈnē-zhə\

Definition of AMNESIA

1

: loss of memory due usually to brain injury, shock, fatigue, repression, or illness

2

: a gap in one's memory

3

: the selective overlooking or ignoring of events or acts that are not favorable or useful to one's purpose or position

— am·ne·si·ac \-zhē-ˌak, -zē-\ or am·ne·sic \-zik, -sik\ adjective or noun

Origin of AMNESIA

New Latin, from Greek amnēsia forgetfulness, alteration of amnēstia

First Known Use: 1618

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

am·ne·sia

noun \am-ˈnē-zhə\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of AMNESIA

1

: loss of memory sometimes including the memory of personal identity due to brain injury, shock, fatigue, repression, or illness or sometimes induced by anesthesia <a period of amnesia after the wreck>

2

: a gap in one's memory <an amnesia concerning her high-school years>

amnesia

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Loss of memory as a result of brain injury or deterioration, shock, fatigue, senility, drug use, alcoholism, anesthesia, illness, or neurotic reaction. Amnesia may be anterograde (in which events following the causative trauma or disease are forgotten) or retrograde (in which events preceding the trauma or disease are forgotten). It can often be traced to a severe emotional shock, in which case personal memories (in effect, identity) rather than such abilities as language skills are affected. Such amnesia seems to represent an escape from disturbing memories and is thus an example of repression; these memories can generally be recovered through psychotherapy or after the amnesic state has ended. Amnesia may occasionally last for weeks, months, or even years, a condition known as fugue.