Sightless Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ™ˆ
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sightless

[หˆsaษชtlษ™s ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

unable to see

Lacking the ability to see; blind. Unable to perceive or understand something.

Synonyms

blind, unseeing, visionless.

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Word Description / Examples
sightless

Typically used in literary or poetic contexts to describe someone who cannot see. Itโ€™s less common in everyday language.

  • The sightless man relied on his other senses to navigate the city.
  • She sang to her sightless child, hoping to bring some comfort.
blind

The most common term used to describe someone who has lost their vision. It can also be used metaphorically to mean unaware or ignoring something.

  • He has been blind since birth.
  • She was blind to his faults.
visionless

Usually used in a metaphorical sense to describe a lack of foresight or imagination. Itโ€™s uncommon when referring to the literal loss of sight.

  • The companyโ€™s visionless strategy led to its downfall.
  • The leader was criticized for being visionless in times of change.
unseeing

Often used to describe someone who is not paying attention or is unaware, rather than physically unable to see. It can also imply not perceiving or understanding something.

  • She stared at the horizon with unseeing eyes.
  • He gave her an unseeing nod, lost in thought.

Examples of usage

  • He was born sightless and has never been able to see the world around him.
  • The darkness enveloped her sightless eyes, leaving her in a state of confusion.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Studies show that people who are sightless often develop heightened senses in other areas, like hearing or touch, allowing them to navigate the world in unique ways.
  • Brain imaging scans reveal that the visual cortex in sightless individuals can be repurposed for other sensory processes, showing the brain's adaptability.

Culture

  • In many cultures, stories and folklore depict sightless individuals as possessing special abilities, often portrayed as wise or insightful due to their unique experiences.
  • Blind athletes have competitions, such as goalball or blind soccer, which showcase their incredible skills and determination.

Literature

  • Famous works, such as 'Blindness' by Josรฉ Saramago, use the condition to explore themes of human behavior under duress and the fragility of societal norms.
  • Many poets and authors describe the beauty and depth of emotions from the perspective of sightless characters, challenging societal perceptions of disability.

Psychology

  • Research in psychology suggests that the experience of being sightless can lead to changes in self-identity and perception, with many developing strong self-advocacy skills.
  • Visual impairments often lead individuals to rely more on their imagination and creativity, tapping into different cognitive processes.

Origin of 'sightless'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'sightless' comes from the Old English 'sฤซeg', meaning vision, combined with 'less', which means without.
  • The concept of being 'sightless' has been used in literature for centuries to explore themes of perception and understanding.

The word 'sightless' originated from the combination of 'sight' and the suffix '-less', which means 'without'. It first appeared in the English language in the 15th century. The concept of being sightless has been a subject of fascination and empathy throughout history, with various cultures developing methods to assist those who are unable to see.


See also: foresight, insight, nearsighted, oversight, sight, sighting, sightline, sights, sightseeing, sightseer, unsightliness, unsightly.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,678, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.