amnesia

[ am-nee-zhuh ]

noun

1. loss of a large block of interrelated memories; complete or partial loss of memory caused by brain injury, shock, etc.

amnesia

/ æmˈniːzɪˌæk; æmˈniːsɪk; æmˈniːzjə; -ʒjə; -zɪə; -zɪk /

noun

1. a defect in memory, esp one resulting from pathological cause, such as brain damage or hysteria

amnesia

/ ăm-nē′zhə /

1. Partial or total loss of memory, usually caused by brain injury or shock.

amnesia

1. A loss of memory, especially one brought on by some distressing or shocking experience.

Notes

A common variant is selective amnesia; the term is applied to public officials who, when questioned about alleged wrongdoing, profess that they cannot remember.

Derived Forms

• amnesiac, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• am·nes·tic [am-, nes, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amnesia¹

1780–90; < New Latin < Greek amnēsía, variant of amnēstía oblivion; perhaps learnedly formed from mnē-, stem of mimnḗskesthai to remember ( mnemonic ) + -s- + -ia -ia. See amnesty

Word History and Origins

Origin of amnesia¹

C19: via New Latin from Greek: forgetfulness, probably from amnēstia oblivion; see amnesty