. . .o8 .o8 .ooooo. .oooo. .o888oo .oooo. oooo d8b .oooo. .ooooo. .o888oo d88' `"Y8 `P )88b 888 `P )88b `888""8P `P )88b d88' `"Y8 888 888 .oP"888 888 .oP"888 888 .oP"888 888 888 888 .o8 d8( 888 888 . d8( 888 888 d8( 888 888 .o8 888 . `Y8bod8P' `Y888""8o "888" `Y888""8o d888b `Y888""8o `Y8bod8P' "888" Cataract refers to a clouding of the lens of the eye, or of its surrounding transparent membrane, that obstructs the passage of light. Cataract is also used, often in literature, to refer to a waterfall, steep rapids in a river, or to a downpour or flood. [KAT-uh-rakt] > noun