a mental illness characterized by severe confusion and inability to retain recent memories, usually caused by alcoholism
Word origin
C19: named after Sergei Korsakoff (1854–1900), Russian neuropsychiatrist, who described it
Korsakoff's psychosis in American English
(ˈkɔrsəˌkɔfs) or ˈKorsaˌkoff's syndrome (ˈkɔrsəˌkɔfs)
a severe mental disorder caused by damage to the nervous system from alcohol, vitamin deficiencies, etc., characterized by multiple neuritis, memory loss, disorientation, etc.
Word origin
after S. S. Korsakoff (1854?-1900), Russ neurologist