amnesia Hear it!

amnesia definition

am·ne·sia (am nē′z̸hə)

noun

partial or total loss of memory caused as by brain injury or by shock

Etymology: ModL < Gr amnēsia, forgetfulness < a-, not + mnasthai, to remember < IE base *men-, *mnā-, to think, be alert > man, L mens, mind

Related Forms:

  • amnesiac am·ne′·siac′ (-zhē ak′) adjective, noun or amnesic am·ne′·sic (-zik, -sik)
  • amnestic am·nes′·tic (-nes′tik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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