iris

i-ris · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The colored, circular membrane of the eye surrounding the pupil, which controls the amount of light entering the eye.

  2. 2.

    A plant with sword-shaped leaves and showy flowers, typically purple, blue, yellow, or white.

  3. 3.

    (Greek Mythology) The goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods.

Forms

plural: irises

Related words

See also: eye, flower, pupil, retina

Etymology

From Latin iris, from Greek iris ("rainbow"), named after the goddess Iris. The eye structure was named for its range of colors, and the flower for its colorful blooms.