cataract

noun

cat·a·ract ˈka-tə-ˌrakt

[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

obsolete : waterspout

: waterfall

especially : a large one over a precipice

: steep rapids in a river

the cataracts of the Nile

: downpour, flood

cataracts of rain

cataracts of information

cataractous

ˌka-tə-ˈrak-təs

adjective

Did you know?

Cataract dates to the 14th century and comes from the Latin word cataracta, meaning "portcullis." The Latin pertains to the ocular cataract, probably because it obstructs one's vision much like the portcullis's heavy iron grating obstructs passage into a fortress or castle. Cataracta has another meaning, however—"waterfall"—and that meaning gave English the water-related meanings that came in later centuries. The connection between the two Latin meanings can be seen in katarassein, the Greek source of cataracta. It means "to dash down," an action we see in both the slamming portcullis and the cascading waterfall.

Examples of cataract in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web Similar changes were not detected in individuals with reversed cataracts that emerged later in childhood. —

Cordula Hölig, Scientific American, 12 May 2023 As Claude Monet got older, cataracts began to cloud his vision. —

Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023 Steroids can cause cataracts, osteoporosis and other complications if used in excess or for too long. —

Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023 The formation of cataracts, which cause cloudiness in the eye’s natural lens, is very common as people age: Half of people 75 and older have them. —

Bernard J. Wolfson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Oct. 2023 Guided by the center’s doctors, Sophie got to test her skills in cataract surgery. —

Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 12 Oct. 2023 Sara had traveled to Washington state in January 1933 from her Alaska hometown to accompany her mother for cataract surgery. —

Nicole Dungca and Claire Healy, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2023 In ancient Mexico, powdered obsidian was mixed with quartz and sprinkled in someone’s eyes to treat cataracts. —

Jim Robbins, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2023 Vargas, 69, who had no major health problems except gout and cataracts, had died on his tractor. —

Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cataract.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.