retina

[ ret-n-uh, ret-nuh ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural ret·i·nas, ret·i·nae [ret, -n-ee].

1. the innermost coat of the posterior part of the eyeball that receives the image produced by the lens, is continuous with the optic nerve, and consists of several layers, one of which contains the rods and cones that are sensitive to light.

Trademark, Computers.

1. Retina, a brand name used by Apple, Inc., to describe display screens having a resolution so high that it is difficult to see individual pixels with the human eye:

   a Retina display; Retina technology; Retina quality.

retina

/ ˈrɛtɪnə /

noun

1. the light-sensitive membrane forming the inner lining of the posterior wall of the eyeball, composed largely of a specialized terminal expansion of the optic nerve. Images focused here by the lens of the eye are transmitted to the brain as nerve impulses

retina

/ rĕt′n-ə /

, Plural retinas rĕt′n-ē′

1. The light-sensitive membrane that lines the inside of the back of the eyeball and connects to the brain by the optic nerve. The retina of vertebrate animals contains rods and cones, specialized cells that absorb light.

retina

1. The inner layer of the eye , sensitive to light , that is connected to the brain by the optic nerve . The retina lines the rear of the eye-ball. The lens of the eye focuses waves of light on the retina.

Derived Forms

• ˈretinal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retina¹

1350–1400; Middle English ret ( h ) ina < Medieval Latin rētina, perhaps equivalent to Latin rēt- (stem of rēte ) net + -ina -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of retina¹

C14: from Medieval Latin, perhaps from Latin rēte net

Example Sentences

The lowest layer makes predictions about actual sensory input — say, the photons falling on the retina.

From Quanta Magazine

Computer vision and bioengineered retinas tag-teamed to bolster artificial vision.

From Singularity Hub 

The best VR displays are somewhere between super-screen-door and retina resolution.

From Singularity Hub 

That means for VR to hit retina resolution, we’ll need displays with way more, way smaller pixels.

From Singularity Hub 

The retina also is home to another type of light-sensitive cell.

From Science News For Students

The updated iPad Mini, which will start at $399 ($599 for cell), gets a retina display as well as better performance.

From The Daily Beast

The reality of the Retina MacBook is a study in compromises.

From The Daily Beast

It is a building block of protein and found in large amounts in the brain, retina, heart, and blood platelets.

From The Daily Beast

What is possibly lovable about the cornea—or the iris or the retina for that matter?

From The Daily Beast

This apparition fixed itself upon her mental retina like a marvellous dream.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not the retina which is affected by a positive reality, it is the optic thalami of the brain which are excited.

From Project Gutenberg

A diminution or total loss of sight, arising from paralysis of the retina or optic nerve.

From Project Gutenberg

I suppose it to be a memory of looking at the sun—a quick glance at the sun leaves something such an impression on the retina.

From Project Gutenberg

We can, however, move the images on the retina by the aid of prisms without movement of the object.

From Project Gutenberg