involuntary movement of the eye comprising a smooth drift followed by a flick back, occurring in several situations, for example after the body has been rotated or in disorders of the cerebellum
Word origin
C19: New Latin, from Greek nustagmos
nystagmus in American English
(nɪˈstægməs)
noun
an involuntary, rapid movement of the eyeball, usually from side to side
Derived forms
nystagmic (nysˈtagmic)
adjective
Word origin
ModL < Gr nystagmos, drowsiness < nystazein, to be sleepy < IE base *sneud-, to sleep
Examples of 'nystagmus' in a sentence
nystagmus
Nesson did his usual neurological exam reflex in the leg (almost none), nystagmus in the eyes (plenty), facial symmetry (good).