scotoma

[ skoh-toh-muh ]

noun

, Pathology.

, plural sco·to·mas, sco·to·ma·ta [skoh-, toh, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. loss of vision in a part of the visual field; blind spot.

scotoma

/ skɒˈtəʊmə; skɒˈtɒmətəs /

noun

1. pathol a blind spot; a permanent or temporary area of depressed or absent vision caused by lesions of the visual system, viewing the sun directly ( eclipse scotoma ), squinting, etc
2. psychol a mental blind spot; inability to understand or perceive certain matters

Derived Forms

• scotomatous, adjective

Other Words From

• sco·tom·a·tous [skoh-, tom, -, uh, -t, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scotoma¹

1535–45; < Late Latin < Greek skótōma dizziness. See scoto-, -oma

Word History and Origins

Origin of scotoma¹

C16: via Medieval Latin from Greek skotōma giddiness, from skotoun to make dark, from skotos darkness

Example Sentences

Another memorable image is a scientific illustration of “a scintillating scotoma, one of many manifestations of migraine aura.”

From Washington Post

In the spectrum’s wake was an area of diminished vision called a scotoma.

From Nature

Harris’ attempted self-exoneration didn’t help, either — it merely revealed a moral scotoma in his understanding of gender, sexism and related issues.

From Salon

When he closed his left eye Sacks “amputated” his leg by moving his gaze until it was contained within the scotoma.

From Scientific American

He even pulled out a fancy word — scotoma — to explain the philosophy.

From Washington Post