Iris

/ˈaɪ.ɹɪs/ · noun

Meaning

(botany) A plant of the genus Iris, common in the northern hemisphere, and generally having attractive blooms (See Iris (plant) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia )..

Definitions by Sense

1. (botany) A plant of the genus Iris, common in the northern hemisphere, and generally having attractive blooms (See Iris (plant) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia ).
2. (anatomy) The contractile membrane perforated by the pupil, which adjusts to control the amount of light reaching the retina, and which forms the colored portion of the eye (See Iris (anatomy) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia ).
3. (photography, cinematography) A diaphragm used to regulate the size of a hole, especially as a way of controlling the amount of light reaching a lens.
4. (poetic) A rainbow, or other colourful refraction of light.
5. (electronics) A constricted opening in the path inside a waveguide, used to form a resonator.
6. (zoology) The inner circle of an oscillated color spot.
7. (of an aperture, lens, or door) To open or close in the manner of an iris.
8. (literary) To cause (something) to shine with the colours of the rainbow; to make iridescent.

Example Sentences

Breezes blowing from beds of iris quickened her breath with their perfume; she saw the tufted lilacs sway in the wind, and the streamers of mauve-tinted wistaria swinging, all a-glisten with golden bees; she saw a crimson cardinal winging through the foliage, and amorous tanagers flashing like scarlet flames athwart the pines.

Pure, transparent, glistening in the sun, and irised by a thousand hues, which float and wave and spread in graceful and ceaseless motion on its surface!

The sun as it comes indoors out of space Has left a rainbow irising each glass— A refraction, caught then multiplied From the crystal tied within our window,

Synonyms for iris

Antonyms for iris

Related Words

Word Forms

• irises
• iris
• irides
• irising
• irised

Usage Notes

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