WALLEYED Meaning and
Definition
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The term "walleyed" is an adjective used to describe the physical condition of having eyes that appear to be prominently or abnormally divergent, pointing outward or to the sides, rather than straight ahead. The word is derived from the combination of "wall" and "eye," suggesting that one's eyes are positioned as if they were fixed on opposite walls. This condition is often colloquially referred to as "cross-eyed" or "strabismus."
Walleyed individuals commonly have a distinctive appearance where the whites of their eyes are more visible due to the pronounced outward deviation of the eyes. It is important to note that walleyedness can vary in severity, from a minor misalignment where the eyes occasionally drift apart, to a more pronounced form where one eye points inwardly while the other drifts outwardly.
This condition can occur due to a variety of factors, such as muscle weakness or imbalance, nerve disorders, or abnormalities in eye structure. Some individuals may be born with walleyedness, while others may develop it later in life due to factors such as injury or illness. Depending on the underlying cause and severity, treatment may involve corrective lenses, patching, eye exercises, or in more extreme cases, surgery to realign the eyes.
In colloquial usage, the term "walleyed" can also be metaphorically employed to describe someone who appears distracted, absent-minded, or unfocused, reflecting a lack of attention or concentration.
Common Misspellings for WALLEYED
Etymology of WALLEYED
The word "walleyed" has its roots in Old English. It is derived from the Old English word "wealwian", which means "to roll the eyes" or "to be strabismic". Over time, "wealwian" evolved into "walewi" or "wællëwæg" in Middle English, which referred to a condition where the eyes are turned or rolled back. Eventually, by the 17th century, the term "walleyed" emerged in its current form to describe eyes that appear prominently or abnormally wide, giving the impression of a lack of focusing or direction.
Similar spelling words for WALLEYED
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