iris JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU
/ˈaɪɹɪs/ · i·ris
noun
- A rhizomatous perennial plant of the genus Iris, noted for its showy flowers and cultivated in gardens. She planted several irises along the walkway to add a splash of color in spring.
- The thin, pigmented diaphragm of the eye that surrounds the pupil and controls the amount of light entering the retina. The doctor examined his iris for signs of inflammation.
- A mechanical diaphragm in a camera or optical instrument that adjusts the aperture to regulate light. The photographer adjusted the iris to achieve a shallow depth of field.
verb
- To open or close an aperture, lens, or door in a manner analogous to the iris of an eye. The camera's iris automatically narrowed as the sun set.
Did you know? The word 'iris' was borrowed from the Greek goddess Iris, the messenger of the gods who personified the rainbow, inspiring the naming of both the flower and the eye's colored part because of their vivid hues.