iris
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
iris/ˈʌɪrɪs/
▶noun
- 1 a flat, coloured, ring-shaped membrane behind the cornea of the eye, with an adjustable circular opening (pupil) in the centre.
- 2 a plant with showy flowers, typically purple or yellow, and sword-shaped leaves. [Genus Iris: many species.]
- 3 (also iris diaphragm) an adjustable diaphragm of thin overlapping plates for regulating the size of a central aperture.
– origin mod. L., via L. from Gk iris ‘rainbow, iris’.
'iris' also found in these Oxford entries:
ciliary body
- crocus
- equitant
- flag
- fleur-de-lis
- gladdon
- gladiolus
- iridaceous
- iridescent
- iridium
- iridology
- iritis
- ixia
- lens
- melanin
- montbretia
- orris
- pupil
- purple emperor
- sweet flag
- tulp
- uvea
- wall eye
- white
