ommatidium

[ om-uh-tid-ee-uhm ]

noun

, Zoology.

, plural om·ma·tid·i·a [om-, uh, -, tid, -ee-, uh].

1. one of the radial elements composing a compound eye.

ommatidium

/ ˌɒməˈtɪdɪəm /

noun

1. any of the numerous cone-shaped units that make up the compound eyes of some arthropods

ommatidium

/ ŏm′ə-tĭd′ē-əm /

, Plural ommatidia

1. One of the tiny light-sensitive parts of the compound eye of insects and other arthropods. An ommatidium resembles a single simplified eye.
2. See more at compound eye

Derived Forms

• ˌommaˈtidial, adjective

Other Words From

• omma·tidi·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ommatidium¹

1880–85; < New Latin < Greek ommat- (stem of ómma eye) + New Latin -idium -idium

Word History and Origins

Origin of ommatidium¹

C19: via New Latin from Greek ommatidion, from omma eye

Example Sentences

The ommatidium is from the first segregate and consists of few cells.

From Project Gutenberg

The cells of the ommatidium are a good deal larger than the neighbouring common cells of the epidermis.

From Project Gutenberg

The ommatidium (soft structure beneath the lens-unit of a compound eye) is very simple in both Scorpio and Limulus.

From Project Gutenberg

Each of these facets is the external window of an eye element or ommatidium.

From Project Gutenberg

Ommatidium -ia: one of the elements of which the compound eye is composed.

From Project Gutenberg