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am·ne·sia

(ăm-nēzhə)

Loss of memory, usually resulting from shock, psychological disturbance, brain injury, or illness.

[Greek amnēsiā, forgetfulness, probably alteration of amnēstiā, from amnēstos, not remembered : a-, not; see A–¹ + mimnēskein, mnē-, to remember; see men-¹ in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

am·nesi·ac′ (-nēzē-ăk′, -zhē-ăk′), am·nesic (-zĭk, -sĭk) n.& adj.

am·nestic (-nĕstĭk) adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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