Iris
Pronunciation
- enPR: Ä«'rÄs, IPA: /ˈaɪɹɪs/
- Rhymes: -aɪɹɪs
Origin
From Middle English, from Latin, from Ancient Greek ἶÏις (iris, "rainbow"), from Proto-Indo-European *wei-ro- ("a twist, thread, cord, wire"), from Proto-Indo-European *wei- ("to turn, twist, weave, plait").
Noun
(See Usage notes)- (botany) A plant of the genus Iris, common in the northern hemisphere, and generally having attractive blooms (Iris (plant)).
- 1907, w, The Younger Set Chapter 5, Breezes blowing from beds of iris quickened her breath with their perfume ; she saw the tufted lilacs sway in the wind, and the streamers of rose-tinted wistaria swinging, all a-glisten with golden bees ; … .
- (anatomy) The contractile membrane perforated by the pupil, which adjusts to control the amount of light reaching the retina, and which forms the colored portion of the eye (Iris (anatomy)).
- (photography, cinematography) A diaphragm used to regulate the size of a hole, especially as a way of controlling the amount of light reaching a lens.
- (poetic) A rainbow, or other colourful refraction of light.
- (electronics) A constricted opening in the path inside a waveguide, used to form a resonator.
Usage notes
For the part of the eye, the usual medical plural is irides.
iris and irises are in common use.