shortsightedness
UK[ˌʃɔːtˈsaɪtɪdnəs]US[ˌʃɔːrtˈsaɪtɪdnəs]
n
the inability to see things clearly when they are far away; myopia.
n
the quality of not considering the possible future effects of present actions; lack of foresight.
Morpheme Breakdown
short
sight
ed
ness
short
sight
ed
ness
Etymology
the word 'shortsightedness' is a modern english compound built from native germanic elements. the core concept, 'short sight', literally describes a physical condition where the focal point of the eye falls short of the retina, leading to clear vision only for nearby objects. this literal, optical meaning was first recorded in the 17th century. by the early 19th century, the metaphorical extension was firmly established, applying the logic of impaired long-range vision to criticize planning or thinking that fails to consider distant future consequences. the suffixes '-ed' and '-ness' systematically convert the noun phrase into an adjective ('shortsighted') and then into an abstract noun denoting the state or condition itself.
Analysis
Structure: short + sight + ed + ness
- short (old english): from old english 'sceort', meaning 'not long' or 'of little length'. functions as an adjective describing a lack of extent.
- sight (old english): from old english 'sihþ', 'gesihþ', meaning 'thing seen' or 'faculty of seeing'. functions as a noun.
- ed (old english): a suffix forming adjectives from nouns, meaning 'having' or 'characterized by'.
- ness (old english): a suffix forming abstract nouns from adjectives, indicating a state or quality.
Examples
his shortsightedness meant he had to wear glasses for driving.
the government's shortsightedness on environmental policy will have severe consequences for future generations.
economic shortsightedness often leads companies to cut research funding, harming long-term innovation.