n. 1. A visual defect in which distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused in front of the retina rather than on it. Also called nearsightedness, short sight. 2. Lack of discernment or long-range perspective in thinking or planning: "For Lorca, New York is a symbol of spiritual myopia" (Edwin Honig). [Greek muōpiā, from muōps, muōp-, nearsighted : mūein, to close the eyes + ōps, eye; see okw- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] my·opic (-ŏpĭk, -ōpĭk) adj. my·opi·cal·ly adv. (click for a larger image) myopiatop: normal eye with light focused on the retinabottom:myopic eye with light focused in front of the retina |
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