nystagmus

noun

nys·​tag·​mus ni-ˈstag-məs 

: involuntary usually rapid movement of the eyeballs occurring normally with dizziness during and after bodily rotation or abnormally following head injury or as a symptom of disease

nystagmic

ni-ˈstag-mik 

adjective

Examples of nystagmus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With a stroke, the central left-right integration system gets hit, so the nystagmus goes both ways. —Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2021

Finlay conducted a horizontal gaze nystagmus, a type of field sobriety test, and said Kumar failed four of six measures used to determine if someone is intoxicated, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. —Jay R. Jordan, Chron, 6 May 2022

Officers performed a horizontal gaze nystagmus, a type of field sobriety test, and said Kumar failed four of six measures used to determine if someone is intoxicated. —Jay R. Jordan, Chron, 5 May 2022

Little Johnny [who has low vision and nystagmus] was impressive in this episode. —Dan Snierson, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek nystagmos drowsiness, from nystazein to doze; probably akin to Lithuanian snusti to doze

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

nystagmus

noun

nys·​tag·​mus nis-ˈtag-məs 

: involuntary usually rapid movement of the eyeballs (as from side to side) occurring normally with dizziness during and after bodily rotation or abnormally following head injury or as a symptom of disease