CATARACT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does cataract mean? 

• CATARACT (noun)
  The noun CATARACT has 2 senses:

1. an eye disease that involves the clouding or opacification of the natural lens of the eye

2. a large waterfall; violent rush of water over a precipice

  Familiarity information: CATARACT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CATARACT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An eye disease that involves the clouding or opacification of the natural lens of the eye

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("cataract" is a kind of...):

eye disease (any disease of the eye)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "cataract"):

cortical cataract (a cataract that affects the lens cortex)

nuclear cataract (a cataract that affects the nucleus of the lens)

posterior subcapsular cataract (a cataract in the rear of the lens capsule)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A large waterfall; violent rush of water over a precipice

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Hypernyms ("cataract" is a kind of...):

falls; waterfall (a steep descent of the water of a river)

 Context examples 

The most common causes of corneal endothelial decompensation in the adult population are cataract removal/IOL-related endothelial loss and Fuchs dystrophy.

(Corneal Decompensation, NCI Thesaurus)

A cataract is a cloud over the lens of your eye.

(Diabetic Eye Problems, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Cataract in one eye that is present at birth.

(Congenital Unilateral Cataract, NCI Thesaurus)

Cataract that is present at birth.

(Congenital Cataract, NCI Thesaurus)

Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataracts.

(Cataract, NIH: National Eye Institute)

Cataract in both eyes that are present at birth.

(Congenital Bilateral Cataracts, NCI Thesaurus)

It is characterized by myotonia, muscular dystrophy, hypogonadism, heart conduction defects and cataracts.

(Dystrophia Myotonica 1, NCI Thesaurus)

Mutations of this gene are associated with branchiootorenal dysplasia syndrome, branchiootic syndrome, congenital cataracts and ocular anterior segment anomalies.

(EYA1 wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

Inherited overproduction of free radicals, high levels of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, DNA rearrangements, morbid conditions mimicking human degenerative diseases: cataract, emphysema, cardiomyopathy, carcinogenesis; short life-span and low fecundity.

(OXYS, Rat Strain, NCI Thesaurus)

This may increase the risk of skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system problems.

(Ozone, Environmental Protection Agency)