iris

¹

[ ahy-ris ]

noun

, plural i·ris·es, ir·i·des [ir, -i-deez, ahy, -ri-].

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. Compare iris family.
3. a flower of this plant.
4. (initial capital letter) Classical Mythology. 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

/ ˈaɪrɪs /

noun

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

iris

²

/ ˈaɪrɪs /

noun

1. the coloured muscular diaphragm that surrounds and controls the size of the pupil
2. Also calledfleur-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 calledrainbow 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

iris

/ ī′rĭs /

, Plural irises ī′rĭ-dēz′,ĭr′ĭ-

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.

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of iris¹

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

Example Sentences

Born in Berlin in 1931, Auerbach came to England in 1939, arriving in London as a refugee from Nazi Germany as one of six children sponsored by the writer Iris Origo.

From BBC

Iris Webster had suffered a suspected hip injury at her home in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, when a visiting health professional called for an ambulance at 11:00 BST on 2 October.

From BBC

He kicked off his career as a teen rock star in Buenos Aires with Arco Iris, one of the first rock en español bands.

From Los Angeles Times

She has Aniridia - a rare condition where the iris does not form properly.

From BBC

Iris was trying to convince Barry that the four of us ought to go to Portugal for a vacation.

From Salon