The word "short sighted" is spelled /ˈʃɔːt ˈsaɪtɪd/ in IPA phonetics. The first syllable "short" is pronounced as /ʃɔːt/ and the second syllable "sighted" is pronounced as /ˈsaɪtɪd/. This compound word refers to a condition where a person has difficulty seeing objects that are far away. It is worth mentioning that short-sightedness is also known as myopia. Being short sighted means having to wear glasses or contact lenses to correct vision, and it is quite a common condition in today's world.
Short-sighted is an adjective that refers to a lack of foresight, the inability to plan or anticipate future consequences, or a narrow viewpoint focused solely on immediate benefits or outcomes. It describes an individual or a decision that disregards the long-term effects in favor of immediate gains or simply fails to consider the broader perspective.
In the figurative sense, short-sightedness denotes a limited understanding, often resulting from an inability to consider the larger picture or potential future developments. It suggests a failure to grasp the potential implications or consequences beyond the immediate present, demonstrating a lack of strategic thinking.
People or actions that are short-sighted tend to prioritize short-term successes or gains without adequately considering the long-term impact. This term applies across various contexts, including personal decision-making, business strategies, political policies, environmental initiatives, and social issues.
In practical terms, a short-sighted decision might involve implementing a quick fix instead of addressing the root cause of a problem, neglecting investments in education or infrastructure, or focusing exclusively on personal interests rather than the well-being of a larger group or society.
In summary, short-sightedness implies a limited vision or understanding that fails to consider the future implications or broader perspectives, prioritizing short-term gains over long-term consequences.
The word "short-sighted" originated in the late 16th century as a compound adjective derived from two separate words: "short" and "sighted".
The term "short" comes from the Old English word "sceort", which meant "not long". It referred to a lack of physical or temporal length. Over time, "short" took on figurative connotations as well, such as describing a lack of foresight or a limited perspective.
The word "sighted" comes from the Old English word "gesihthod", which meant "able to see" or having the ability to perceive visually. The term "sighted" was commonly used to describe individuals with normal vision or those who did not require visual aids.
Combining these two words, "short-sighted" originally meant having a limited range of sight or vision.