cataract

One entry found for cataract.

Main Entry: cat·a·ract
Pronunciation: 'ka-t&-"rakt
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin cataracta waterfall, portcullis, from Greek kataraktEs, from katarassein to dash down, from kata- + arassein to strike, dash
1 [Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French catharacte, from Medieval Latin cataracta, from Latin, portcullis] : a clouding of the lens of the eye or of its surrounding transparent membrane that obstructs the passage of light
2 a obsolete : WATERSPOUT b : WATERFALL; especially : a large one over a precipice c : steep rapids in a river d : DOWNPOUR, FLOOD <cataracts of rain> <cataracts of information>
- cat·a·rac·tous /"ka-t&-'rak-t&s/ adjective