Main Entry: cat·a·ract

Pronunciation: \ˈka-tə-ˌrakt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin cataracta waterfall, portcullis, from Greek kataraktēs, from katarassein to dash down, from kata- + arassein to strike, dash

Date: 14th century

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 \ˌka-tə-ˈrak-təs\ adjective