Cataract

/ˈkætərækt/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision.
After years of struggling with blurred vision, she was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes.
A large waterfall or a rushing stream of water.
The sound of the cataract could be heard from miles away as it cascaded down the mountainside.

Etymology

From Middle English cataracte, from Latin cataracta, from Greek katarrhaktēs 'down-rushing'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

cataract surgery:
A surgical procedure to remove a cataract from the lens of the eye.
cataract of rain:
A sudden and intense downpour of rain.
to have cataracts:
To be afflicted by the condition of cataracts.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

To see nothing clearly
After the party, my head felt like a cataract – everything was blurry.
A sudden overwhelming force
The news hit me like a cataract, I couldn't process it at first.