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a·lex·i·a

(ə-lĕksē-ə)

Loss of the ability to read, usually caused by brain lesions. Also called word blindness.

[A-¹ + Greek lexis, speech (from legein, to speak; see leg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots) + -IA¹.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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