Dictionary
1iris
noun \ˈī-rəs\
: the colored part of your eye
: a plant with long pointed leaves and large blue or yellow flowers
plural iris·es also iri·des \ˈī-rə-ˌdēz, ˈir-ə-\
Full Definition of IRIS
1
: rainbow
2
[New Latin irid-, iris, from Greek] a : the opaque contractile diaphragm perforated by the pupil and forming the colored portion of the eye — see eye illustration b : iris diaphragm; also : a similar device with a circular opening that can be varied in size
3
also plural iris [New Latin Irid-, Iris, genus name, from Latin] : any of a large genus (Iris of the family Iridaceae, the iris family) of perennial herbaceous plants with linear usually basal leaves and large showy flowers
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Origin of IRIS
Middle English, from Latin irid-, iris rainbow, iris plant, from Greek, rainbow, iris plant, iris of the eye — more at wire
First Known Use: 15th century
2iris
verb
Definition of IRIS
transitive verb
: to make iridescent
First Known Use of IRIS
1816
Iris
noun \ˈī-rəs\
Definition of IRIS
: the Greek goddess of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods
Origin of IRIS
Latin, from Greek
First Known Use: 15th century
IRIS Defined for Kids
iris
noun \ˈī-rəs\
Definition of IRIS for Kids
1
: the colored part around the pupil of an eye
2
: a plant with long pointed leaves and large usually brightly colored flowers
Medical Dictionary
iris
noun \ˈī-rəs\
plural iris·es or iri·des \ˈī-rə-ˌdēz, ˈir-ə-\
Medical Definition of IRIS
1
: the opaque muscular contractile diaphragm that is suspended in the aqueous humor in front of the lens of the eye, is perforated by the pupil and is continuous peripherally with the ciliary body, has a deeply pigmented posterior surface which excludes the entrance of light except through the pupil and a colored anterior surface which determines the color of the eyes
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