blindness etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: blendenesse
  • Old English: blindnes
  • Proto-Germanic: *blindīznai
  • Proto-Indo-European: *blendh- (to make blind)

Meaning:

Blindness is the inability to see, either partially or completely. It can be caused by various factors, including genetic disorders, diseases, injuries, and aging.

Origin:

The etymology of "blindness" traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *blendh-, meaning "to make blind." This root is shared by words in many languages, including:

  • Sanskrit: bhanḍa (blind)
  • Greek: blendos (blind)
  • Latin: blandus (soft, gentle)
  • Gothic: blinds (blind)
  • Old Norse: blindr (blind)

Over time, the Proto-Indo-European root *blendh- evolved into the Proto-Germanic form *blindīznai, which referred to the condition of being blind. This word was eventually borrowed into Old English as "blindnes," which later became "blindness" in Middle English.

Interesting facts:

  • The term "white blindness" is sometimes used to describe congenital cataracts, which cause a milky-white appearance in the pupils.
  • In some cultures, blindness has been associated with wisdom and spirituality.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are over 2 billion people worldwide with vision impairments, of which 39 million are blind.

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