alexia

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

[A-¹ + Greek lexis, speech (from legein, to speak) + -IA¹.]

(uh-LEK-see-uh)

noun
A neurological disorder marked by the loss of ability to read words. Also called word blindness.

Etymology
From Greek a- (not) + Greek lexis (speech), from legein (to speak), confused with Latin legere (to read) + Latin -ia (disease). Ultimately from Indo-European root leg- (to collect) that resulted in other derivatives such as lexicon, legal, dialogue, lecture, logic, legend, logarithm, intelligent, diligent, sacrilege, elect, and loyal

Usage
"Unlike Bill, who has pure alexia, people with partial alexias recognize letters but can read only certain types of words. They may read concrete nouns such as 'inn,' but cannot decipher more abstract words such as the preposition 'in.'" — Lauran Neergaard; Stroke Victims Relearn to Read; Seattle Times; Jul 6, 2004.

"Experiments like those in St. Louis show for the first time that alexia is the result of damage to the part of the brain that recognizes words by determining whether they conform to the rules of spelling." — Jerry E. Bishop; Mapping the Mind; The Wall Street Journal (New York); Oct 12, 1993.

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(or word-blindness)
Inability to read the printed or written word, usually caused by cerebral hemisphere damage. See dyslexia.

(Published 1987)

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - aleksi, total ordblindhed

Nederlands (Dutch)
leesblindheid

Français (French)
n. - alexie

Deutsch (German)
n. - Alexie, (Behinderung der Lesefähigkeit)

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (παθολ.) αλεξία, λεκτική τύφλωση

Italiano (Italian)
alessia

Português (Portuguese)
n. - alexia (f) (Med.)

Русский (Russian)
неспособность понимать письменную речь

Español (Spanish)
n. - alexia

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - alexi

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
失读症

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 失讀症

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 독서 불능증

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 失読症, 失読

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) ألعمى ألقرائي : ألعجز عن ألقراءه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮אי היכולת להבין מלים כתובות או מודפסות‬

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Alexia Admor