iris — English Dictionary

Noun

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

   Synonyms

   fleur-de-lis

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   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.

2. 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. A diaphragm used to regulate the size of a hole, especially as a way of controlling the amount of light reaching a lens.

4. A rainbow, or other colourful refraction of light.

   Usage

   • Poetic

5. A constricted opening in the path inside a waveguide, used to form a resonator.

6. The inner circle of an oscillated color spot.

Verb

1. To open or close in the manner of an iris.

   Usage

   • of an aperture

2. To cause (something) to shine with the colours of the rainbow; to make iridescent.

   Usage

   • Literary

   Synonyms

   iridize

   Examples

   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,

Noun

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

   Synonyms

   flagfleur-de-lissword lily

   Broader terms

   iridaceous plant

2. 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

   Broader terms

   membranetissue layer

3. diaphragm consisting of thin overlapping plates that can be adjusted to change the diameter of a central opening

   Synonyms

   iris diaphragm

   Broader terms

   diaphragmstop