alexia

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

alexia
    n 1: inability to perceive written words [syn: {visual aphasia},
         {alexia}, {word blindness}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Alexia \A*lex"i*a\ ([.a]*l[e^]ks"[i^]*[.a]), n. [NL.; a- not +
   Gr. le`xis speech, fr. le`gein to speak, confused with L.
   legere to read.] (Med.)
   (a) Inability to read aloud, due to brain disease; the
       meanings of the words is nevertheless understood. Called
       also {motor alexia}.
   (b) Inability, due to brain disease, to understand written or
       printed symbols. Called also {Word blindness} and {text
       blindness}.
       [Webster 1913 Suppl. + AS] Alexipharmac