Meaning & Definition of word "Amnesia"

Amnesia

/æmˈniː.zi.ə/

noun:

  • 1. A partial or total loss of memory.
    • Example: After the accident, she suffered from amnesia and couldn't remember her own name.
  • 2. A gap in memory caused by psychological trauma or injury.
    • Example: His amnesia was attributed to the stress he experienced during the traumatic event.
  • 3. A condition characterized by the loss of memory, which may be temporary or permanent.
    • Example: The doctors diagnosed him with amnesia, and they began treatment to help restore his memory.
  • 4. The inability to remember information due to brain damage or psychological factors.
    • Example: She experienced amnesia following the surgery that led to difficulties in recalling everyday events.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'amnesia', meaning forgetfulness.

Common Phrases and Expressions

psychogenic amnesia:

A memory loss caused by psychological factors rather than physical damage.

transient global amnesia:

Temporary memory loss that lasts from several minutes to several hours.

dissociative amnesia:

A type of amnesia related to trauma, often involving gaps in memory of personal history.

Related Words

amnesic:

Adjective relating to amnesia.

memory:

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.

recall:

The act of remembering or retrieving information.

Slang Meanings of amnesia

Meaning: Blanked out

Example Sentence: I totally blanked out during the lecture and couldn't remember anything.

Meaning: Spacey

Example Sentence: She's been acting really spacey lately, like she has some amnesia.