— cataractal, cataractous , adj. — cataracted , adj.
/kat"euh rakt'/ , n.
1. a descent of water over a steep surface; a waterfall, esp. one of considerable size.
2. any furious rush or downpour of water; deluge.
3. Ophthalm.
a. an abnormality of the eye, characterized by opacity of the lens.
b. the opaque area.
[ 1350-1400; ME cataracte catar ( r ) acta katarráktes waterfall, floodgate, portcullis (n.), downrushing (adj.), akin to katarássein to dash down, equiv. to kat- CATA- + arássein to smite ]