agnosia

noun

ag·​no·​sia ag-ˈnō-zhə 

-shə

: loss or diminution of the ability to recognize familiar objects or stimuli usually as a result of brain damage

Examples of agnosia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lab Rat has a great post on Trojan horse predators – bacteria that kill worms by letting themselves get eaten New Scientist has a good introductory feature into agnosias and the many interesting ways in which brain damage can cause visual problems. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2010

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Agnosie, borrowed from Greek agnōsía "lack of knowledge, ignorance," from a- a- entry 2 + -gnōsia (from gnôsis "knowledge" + -ia -ia entry 1) — more at gnosis

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

agnosia

noun

ag·​no·​sia ag-ˈnō-zhə  -shə 

: loss or diminution of the ability to recognize familiar objects or stimuli usually as a result of brain damage see visual agnosia