Definition

A medical condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, leading to vision problems, or a large waterfall.

Example

The doctor recommended surgery to remove the cataract from her eye.

Conversation

I heard my grandmother is having surgery for a cataract soon.

Oh no, is she okay?

Yeah, the doctor said it's pretty common and she'll be fine afterward.

That's good to hear! I hope she recovers quickly.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Cataract → It is formed from the Greek word "katarrhaktes" (meaning to break down or to fall down) and the prefix "cata-" (meaning down). The word originally referred to a waterfall or a rushing down of water, which is why it is used to describe both a waterfall and a medical condition involving the eye where vision is obscured, as if something is falling down over it.

Memory Tip

Imagine water 'falling down' ('cata-') in a rush, which helps you remember that a cataract can obscure vision like a waterfall.

Visually Confused Words