(n)abnormal dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea of the eyes; may be due to a systemic deficiency of vitamin A, Syn.xeroma, conjunctivitis arida, xerophthalmus
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
‖n. [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;; xhro`s dry + &unr_; the eye. See Ophthalmia. ] (Med.) An abnormal dryness of the eyeball produced usually by long-continued inflammation and subsequent atrophy of the conjunctiva. [ 1913 Webster ]