cataract

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a clouding of the eye's natural lens that impairs vision

   The surgeon removed the cataract and replaced the cloudy lens.

2. 2
   noun

   a large or powerful waterfall, especially one descending over a steep drop

   Mist rose from the cataract as the river plunged into the gorge.

3. 3
   noun

   a violent rush or downpour of water; literary

   A cataract of rain swept loose branches down the flooded street.

From Middle English and Old French cataracte, ultimately from Greek katarrhaktes, 'something rushing down; waterfall; portcullis,' through Latin cataracta. The eye sense compares the opaque lens to a barrier or portcullis blocking sight; the waterfall sense preserves the Greek image of water rushing downward.

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