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

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.

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

Other Word Forms

• amnestic adjective
• amnesiac 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

Los Angeles is a city built upon amnesia and denial.

From Los Angeles Times

He said crackpot theories have found oxygen in historical amnesia: “If there’s no motive, they can promote their idea that he was just an innocent patsy.”

From Los Angeles Times

Measles can also cause something called “immune amnesia.”

From Los Angeles Times

Post-pandemic amnesia is a natural reaction, and it’s common for misremembering to occur after a pandemic or collective traumatic event occurs.

From Salon

Every summer, like clockwork, a particular kind of collective amnesia lifts.

From Salon