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

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

From BBC

The handmade quality of the film is reflected in the many manual filmmaking techniques on display, such as split diopter shots, optical wipes and irises.

From Los Angeles Times

A flower seller, asked about the tourist trade, irritably mimed how some outsiders would manhandle his delicate blooms — brilliant purple irises and Van Gogh-worthy sunflowers — and then walk away without buying anything.

From Los Angeles Times

The artwork for the tour announcement looks dark: a bit sci-fi, resembling an eye or iris.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s magical for Ferguson too, who over the last 11 months has built a colorful farm on the half-acre with flowers, including Agrostemma, irises, zinnias, cosmos, roses, sunflowers, sweet peas, French dianthus and ranunculus.

From Los Angeles Times