nystagmus

noun

nys·​tag·​mus ni-ˈstag-məs How to pronounce nystagmus (audio)
: involuntary usually rapid movement of the eyeballs occurring normally with dizziness during and after bodily rotation or abnormally following head injury or as a symptom of disease
nystagmic adjective

Examples of nystagmus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With a stroke, the central left-right integration system gets hit, so the nystagmus goes both ways. Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2021 Finlay conducted a horizontal gaze nystagmus, a type of field sobriety test, and said Kumar failed four of six measures used to determine if someone is intoxicated, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. Jay R. Jordan, Chron, 6 May 2022 Officers performed a horizontal gaze nystagmus, a type of field sobriety test, and said Kumar failed four of six measures used to determine if someone is intoxicated. Jay R. Jordan, Chron, 5 May 2022 Little Johnny [who has low vision and nystagmus] was impressive in this episode. Dan Snierson, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2022 See all Example Sentences for nystagmus 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek nystagmos drowsiness, from nystazein to doze; probably akin to Lithuanian snusti to doze

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nystagmus was in 1772

Dictionary Entries Near nystagmus

Cite this Entry

“Nystagmus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nystagmus. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

nystagmus

noun
nys·​tag·​mus nis-ˈtag-məs How to pronounce nystagmus (audio)
: involuntary usually rapid movement of the eyeballs (as from side to side) occurring normally with dizziness during and after bodily rotation or abnormally following head injury or as a symptom of disease

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