The spelling of "moonblind" can be confusing due to its non-intuitive pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /muːnblaɪnd/. The "oo" sound is pronounced as a long u sound, while the "n" and "b" are pronounced separately. The "ai" is pronounced as the long i sound. Ultimately, "moonblind" refers to a condition seen in horses who have been overexposed to moonlight, which can lead to a loss of vision in low-light conditions.
Moonblind is an archaic term rooted in medieval folklore. It is commonly used to describe a condition affecting horses, specifically their vision, where they become partially or completely blind. The term "moonblind" predates scientific understanding of equine eye disorders and is believed to have originated from a superstitious belief that the condition was caused by the moon's influence. It was thought that horses would become blind or experience impaired vision after being exposed to moonlight, hence the name.
Today, "moonblind" is not recognized as a clinical term within veterinary medicine. However, it may sometimes refer to a condition known as equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) or periodic ophthalmia. ERU is a recurring inflammation of the inner layers of the horse's eye, typically involving the uvea. This disorder can lead to varying degrees of visual impairment, and in extreme cases, complete blindness.
Although "moonblind" is no longer used by professionals, it occasionally resurfaces in literature or conversations, often in reference to the historical context of equine eye disorders. Due to advancements in veterinary medicine and increased understanding of eye conditions in horses, the term has fallen out of usage and been replaced with more accurate and specific medical terminologies.
The word "moonblind" is a compound word derived from two separate terms: "moon" and "blind".
1. Moon: The word "moon" originates from the Old English word "mona" and is related to the Old High German word "mano". These terms ultimately trace back to the Proto-Germanic word "menon", which means "moon". The English word "moon" refers to Earth's natural satellite that orbits around it.
2. Blind: The term "blind" comes from the Old English word "blind", which is akin to the Old Norse word "blindr" and the Old High German word "blint". These words have their roots in the Proto-Germanic word "blindaz", meaning "blind" or "dark". In general, "blind" refers to the lack or loss of sight.