amaurosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowTechnical / Medical / Literary
Quick answer
What does “amaurosis” mean?
A complete or partial loss of sight, especially when occurring without apparent damage to the eye.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A complete or partial loss of sight, especially when occurring without apparent damage to the eye.
In medical and historical contexts, it refers to a condition of blindness or severe visual impairment originating from a neurological or internal cause rather than a visible defect in the eye itself. It can also be used poetically or in literature to metaphorically denote profound ignorance or spiritual darkness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage. The spelling is identical. It is a technical term used in the same medical and literary contexts.
Connotations
Slightly archaic or historical in both varieties; evokes a classical or 19th-century medical text.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech in both regions. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or literary texts due to the influence of Latin in traditional medical education.
Grammar
How to Use “amaurosis” in a Sentence
The patient developed amaurosis.Amaurosis was diagnosed.It presented as amaurosis.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amaurosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The condition can amaurose a patient suddenly.
- He was amaurosed by the neurological event.
American English
- The condition can amaurose a patient suddenly.
- The stroke amaurosed his left eye.
adverb
British English
- The vision failed amaurotically.
- Not typically used.
American English
- The vision failed amaurotically.
- Not typically used.
adjective
British English
- The amaurotic episode was transient.
- She presented with amaurotic symptoms.
American English
- The amaurotic episode was transient.
- Amaurotic findings were noted in the chart.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical history, ophthalmology, and neurology papers discussing historical cases or specific conditions like amaurosis fugax.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Primary context. Used in medical diagnostics and literature to describe specific types of non-organic or neurological blindness.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amaurosis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amaurosis”
- Misspelling as 'amarosis' or 'amaurosys'.
- Using it as a general synonym for any blindness.
- Incorrect plural: 'amaurosises' (correct: 'amauroses').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be either permanent or temporary. 'Amaurosis fugax' specifically refers to a temporary loss of vision.
Amaurosis is a specific type of blindness, often implying the cause is internal (neurological, vascular) rather than a direct injury to the eyeball. 'Blindness' is the broader, more general term.
It is not common in everyday practice. The term 'amaurosis fugax' is still used in neurology and ophthalmology, but the standalone term 'amaurosis' is largely historical or used in very specific technical contexts.
It comes from Greek 'amaurosis', meaning 'darkening' or 'obscuring', derived from 'amauros' (dark, dim).
A complete or partial loss of sight, especially when occurring without apparent damage to the eye.
Amaurosis is usually technical / medical / literary in register.
Amaurosis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæm.ɔːˈrəʊ.sɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæm.ɔˈroʊ.sɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A-MAU-rosis' sounds like 'a MORE oh sis'. Imagine someone saying, 'A more serious condition than a simple eye problem is this loss of sight.'
Conceptual Metaphor
DARKNESS / OBSCURITY. The condition is metaphorically linked to being plunged into darkness or a veil being drawn over one's understanding.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most specific modern use of the term 'amaurosis'?