cataract

cat·a·ract

noun \ˈka-tə-ˌrakt\

Definition of CATARACT

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

Examples of CATARACT

1. <the roaring cataract is one of the park's most majestic sights>
2. <in spring the melting snows usually produce a cataract that inundates the valley>

Origin of CATARACT

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CATARACT

Synonyms: cascade, waterfall, fall(s)

Antonyms: drought (also drouth)

Related Words: flume; chute (also shute), rapid(s), shoot, white water

Near Antonyms: dribble, drip, trickle

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

Rhymes with CATARACT

abreact, artifact, chain-react, counteract, cross-react, eye contact, inexact, interact, overact, precontact, razor-backed, reenact, riot act, subcompact, subcontract, tesseract, underact, vacuum-packed, ventifact