Definition of Iris

1. Noun. Plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals.


2. Noun. Muscular diaphragm that controls the size of the pupil which in turn controls the amount of light that enters the eye; it forms the colored portion of the eye.
Group relationships: Eye, Oculus, Optic
Terms within: Pupil
Generic synonyms: Membrane, Tissue Layer

3. Noun. Diaphragm consisting of thin overlapping plates that can be adjusted to change the diameter of a central opening.
Exact synonyms: Iris Diaphragm
Generic synonyms: Diaphragm, Stop

Definition of Iris

1. n. The goddess of the rainbow, and swift-footed messenger of the gods.

2. n. Inner circle of an oscillated color spot.

Definition of Iris

1. a part of the eye [n IRISES or IRIDES] / to give the form of a rainbow to [v -ED, -ING, -ES]

Medical Definition of Iris

1. Origin: L. Iris, iridis, the goddess, Gr, the rainbow, iris of the eye, the plant Iris. Cf. Orris. 1. The goddess of the rainbow, and swift-footed messenger of the gods. 2. The rainbow. 3. An appearance resembling the rainbow; a prismatic play of colours. 4. The contractile membrane perforated by the pupil, and forming the coloured portion of the eye. See Eye. 5. A genus of plants having showy flowers and bulbous or tuberous roots, of which the flower-de-luce (fleur-de-lis), orris, and other species of flag are examples. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Iris

iridorrhexis
iridoschisis
iridosclerotomy
iridosmine
iridosmines
iridosmium
iridotomy
iridotomy
iridoviridae
iridovirus
iridoviruses
irids
irigenin
iring
iris (current term)
iris (current term)
iris-nevus syndrome
irisate
irisated
irisates
irisating
iriscope
iriscope
iriscopes
irised
irises
irish
Irish
Irishman
Irishwoman

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