blindness
- 01 B1 Intermediate
the condition of being unable to see because of injury or illness.
the physiological state of total or partial sightlessness. Uncountable in its general sense.
Simple“He didn't let his blindness stop him from becoming a successful musician.”
In context“Advances in retinal implants offer new hope for patients suffering from degenerative blindness caused by genetic conditions.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a failure to notice or understand something that is happening.
a figurative lack of mental or moral discernment; a state of being unaware or heedless.
Simple“The company's blindness to new technology led to its eventual failure.”
In context“The administration was criticized for its willful blindness regarding the environmental impact of the new industrial project.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
the act of hiding something from view.
the state of being hidden or the act of concealment. This sense is no longer used in modern conversation.
Simple“The thick fog provided a blindness that allowed the scouts to move unseen.”
In context“In the ancient text, the forest's blindness is described as a protective veil for the fleeing prince.”
From Middle English blyndnes, blyndnesse, from Old English blindnes (“blindness”), equivalent to blind + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.