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

Example Sentences

Trump’s question reflects a widespread public amnesia that has clouded over our collective memory of COVID.

From Salon

Levitt fears that this amnesia has become an obstacle to warning voters what’s in store for them in a Trump administration.

From Los Angeles Times

The “new normal” is no longer new and everyone is dealing with the aftermath, even if our main coping mechanisms are denial and amnesia.

From Salon

This very brief history lesson about the evils of Hitler and Nazi Germany is necessary given the broken state of America’s schools and a society where amnesia and organized forgetting are the norm.

From Salon

If the rest of the nation agrees, it would represent a remarkable comeback story or a collective act of political amnesia, depending on one’s perspective.

From BBC