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iris

1

[ahy-ris]

noun

plural

irises, irides 

  1. Anatomy.the contractile, circular diaphragm forming the colored portion of the eye and containing a circular opening, the pupil, in its center.

  2. Botany.any plant of the genus Iris, having showy flowers and sword-shaped leaves.

  3. a flower of this plant.

  4. (initial capital letter)a messenger of the gods, regarded as the goddess of the rainbow.

  5. a rainbow.

  6. any appearance resembling a rainbow.

  7. Movies, Television.an iris-in or iris-out.

  8. Optics, Photography.iris diaphragm.

verb (used without object)

  1. Movies.to begin or end a take or scene with an iris-in or iris-out, achieved by manipulation of an iris diaphragm on the camera or by editing the film.

Iris

2

[ahy-ris]

noun

  1. a female given name.

Iris

1

/ ˈɪɪ /

noun

  1. the goddess of the rainbow along which she travelled to earth as a messenger of the gods

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

iris

2

/ ˈɪɪ /

noun

  1. the coloured muscular diaphragm that surrounds and controls the size of the pupil

  2. Also called: fleur-de-lys.any plant of the iridaceous genus Iris, having brightly coloured flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals See also flag 3 orris 1 stinking iris

  3. Also called: rainbow quartz.a form of quartz that reflects light polychromatically from internal fractures

  4. a rare or poetic word for rainbow

  5. something resembling a rainbow; iridescence

  6. short for iris diaphragm

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

iris

plural

irises 

  1. The colored, muscular ring around the pupil of the eye in vertebrate animals, located between the cornea and lens. Contraction and expansion of the iris controls the size of the pupil, thereby regulating the amount of light reaching the retina.

iris

  1. The colored membrane of the eye, surrounding the pupil, which by contracting and expanding regulates the amount of light that enters the eye.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of iris1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin Īris, īris, from Greek Îris, îris “rainbow, goddess of the rainbow, halo, iris flower or root, iridescent crystal”; in some senses, from New Latin, from Greek: “diaphragm of eye”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of iris1

C14: from Latin: rainbow, iris (flower), crystal, from Greek
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Native irises prefer shadier conditions than their cousins, the taller bearded irises that like full sun, but over time the plants will multiply so you can increase your holdings.

From

In theory, these iris scans offer a safe and convenient way for consumers to verify their human identity at a time when AI-powered tools can easily create fake audio and images of people.

From

Since the 1990s, doctors have been performing medical keratopigmentation for people born without irises and certain other eye conditions.

From

White and purple irises line the paths beneath ancient horse chestnuts in full flower.

From

“He calls it the manhole. It’s like an iris but moving and vibrating in front of the lens when you’re deeply connecting with characters’ emotions.

From

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Irinairisation

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