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Blind: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘๏ธ
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blind

 

[blaษชnd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

unable to see

Blind refers to a physical condition of lacking the sense of sight. People who are blind rely on their other senses to navigate the world around them.

Synonyms

sightless, visually impaired.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
blind

Commonly used to describe someone who has no vision or is unable to see. It can be used both in medical contexts and casual conversation.

  • He has been blind since birth.
  • Blind people often use guide dogs to navigate.
sightless

A more literary or poetic term for being unable to see. It is less common in everyday conversation.

  • The sightless man navigated the room with the help of his cane.
  • In the dark, everyone is sightless.
visually impaired

A more general and formal term that includes anyone with any kind of vision loss, not necessarily total blindness. It is often used in medical or educational contexts.

  • Services are provided to help visually impaired students succeed.
  • Visually impaired athletes participated in the Paralympic Games.

Examples of usage

  • She was born blind and has never seen the color blue.
  • The blind man used a walking stick to help him move around.
Context #2 | Verb

deprive of sight

To blind someone is to make them unable to see, either temporarily or permanently. This can be done through physical injury, exposure to bright light, or other means.

Synonyms

deprive of sight, obscure vision.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
blind

This double entry seems to be an error. Identical context as above.

  • He is blind and uses a cane to navigate.
  • The fog was so thick that it made me temporarily blind while driving.
deprive of sight

This phrase is more formal and is often used in a medical or legal context. It usually refers to the act of causing someone to lose their sight.

  • The accident deprived him of sight permanently.
  • Certain diseases can deprive someone of sight over time.
obscure vision

Use 'obscure vision' when something partially blocks or makes vision unclear. This is often used in situations where the blockage is temporary or partial.

  • The heavy rain obscured my vision while driving.
  • Frost on the window obscured his vision and he couldn't see the road clearly.

Examples of usage

  • The flash of light temporarily blinded him.
  • The accident left him permanently blinded in one eye.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originates from Old English 'blind,' with roots traced back to Proto-Germanic, reflecting an early understanding of the concept.
  • In various languages, the concept of blindness often links to themes of ignorance or lack of knowledge.
  • Historically, the term has also been applied metaphorically to describe someone who is unaware of important information.

Science

  • The human eye has about 120 million rods, which are responsible for vision in the dark, but sometimes factors like illness can cause blindness.
  • Research shows that up to 80% of blindness cases can be prevented or treated with timely medical intervention.
  • Some animals, like certain species of moles and cavefish, have evolved to be blind as adaptations to their environments.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In many cultures, blindness is often associated with wisdom, as seen in literature where blind characters possess heightened insight.
  • The saying 'blind spots' refers not just to literal vision but also metaphorical areas of ignorance in our understanding of others or situations.
  • Artistic representations of blind characters highlight resilience and strength, challenging stereotypes about limitations.

Psychology

  • The concept of 'blind spots' in psychology represents the areas in our personality or behavior we may not be aware of.
  • Studies suggest that people can develop emotional blindness, where one might be unaware of their own feelings or those of others.
  • The phenomenon known as 'blind taste tests' helps reveal how our expectations can shape our experiences and perceptions.

Literature

  • Many literary works feature blind characters, such as Homerโ€™s 'Odyssey,' where the blind poet represents the theme of insight beyond physical sight.
  • Symbolism around blindness often embodies the notion of seeing deeper truths, contrasting physical sight with deeper understanding.
  • In modern storytelling, characters who are blind frequently challenge societal perceptions, showcasing their unique strengths and perspectives.

Translations

Translations of the word "blind" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น cego

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เค‚เคงเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช blind

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ buta

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะปั–ะฟะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ล›lepy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็›ฒ็›ฎ (moumoku)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท aveugle

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ ciego

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kรถr

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋งน์ธ (maengin)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃุนู…ู‰

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ slepรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ slepรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็›ฒไบบ (mรกngrรฉn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ slepi

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ blindur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะพา›ั‹ั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒ แƒ›แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kor

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ciego

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,012, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.