What does cataractous mean?
Cataractous is a formal medical adjective meaning affected by a cataract or characterized by the cloudy opacity that a cataract produces in the eye's lens. It is typically used to describe a lens or eye, as in “a cataractous lens,” although in modern ophthalmology the noun cataract is more common when naming the condition itself. The word belongs mainly to medical and literary English rather than ordinary conversation. Its striking etymology comes from Greek imagery of water falling: cataract descends through Latin from a Greek term for a waterfall or downpour. In the eye, a cataract is an opacity that obstructs the passage of light, so cataractous is useful when discussing the affected structure rather than simply naming the condition. The adjective is uncommon but precise, distinguishing an eye affected by lens opacity from one with a clear lens.
adjectiveAffected with or characterized by a cataract, especially an eye whose lens has become cloudy or opaque.
- Affected with or characterized by a cataract of the eye.
"The ophthalmologist recommended surgery for the patient's cataractous lens."
"The surgeon noted that the cataractous lens would have to be removed."
"In her diary, the poet described her mother's cataractous eyes as windows obscured by mist."
Cataractous preserves the image of water falling: the Greek ancestor of cataract originally evoked a waterfall or downpour.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does cataractous come from?
Cataractous was formed in English by adding the suffix -ous to cataract. Cataract came through Latin cataracta from Greek katarrhaktēs, meaning “waterfall” or “downfall,” ultimately built from the elements kata-, “down,” and rhein, “to flow.” Catarrh also reflects the Greek idea of flowing down, while cataractal is a closer English derivative in the same family.
How cataractous is actually used
Rare, formal, and chiefly medical or literary; modern clinical writing generally prefers cataract as a noun and uses cataractous mainly as a modifier.
Easily confused with cataractous
A cataract is the cloudy opacity itself, whereas cataractous is the adjective describing an eye or lens affected by it.
Cataractous relates to clouding of the eye's lens, while catarrhal describes inflammation and excess mucus in the respiratory or other mucous membranes.