iris

¹

[ahy-ris]

noun

plural

irises, irides 

1. Anatomy.,  the contractile, circular diaphragm forming the colored portion of the eye and containing a circular opening, the pupil, in its center.

2. Botany.,  any plant of the genus Iris, having showy flowers and sword-shaped leaves.

3. a flower of this plant.

4. (initial capital letter),  a messenger of the gods, regarded as the goddess of the rainbow.

5. a rainbow.

6. any appearance resembling a rainbow.

7. Movies, Television.,  an iris-in or iris-out.

8. Optics, Photography.,  iris diaphragm.

verb (used without object)

1. Movies.,  to begin or end a take or scene with an iris-in or iris-out, achieved by manipulation of an iris diaphragm on the camera or by editing the film.

Iris

²

[ahy-ris]

noun

1. a female given name.

Iris

¹

/ ˈaɪrɪs /

noun

1. the goddess of the rainbow along which she travelled to earth as a messenger of the gods

iris

²

/ ˈaɪrɪs /

noun

1. the coloured muscular diaphragm that surrounds and controls the size of the pupil

2. Also called: fleur-de-lys. any plant of the iridaceous genus Iris, having brightly coloured flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals See also flag 3 orris 1 stinking iris

3. Also called: rainbow quartz. a form of quartz that reflects light polychromatically from internal fractures

4. a rare or poetic word for rainbow

5. something resembling a rainbow; iridescence

6. short for iris diaphragm

iris

plural

irises 

1. The colored, muscular ring around the pupil of the eye in vertebrate animals, located between the cornea and lens. Contraction and expansion of the iris controls the size of the pupil, thereby regulating the amount of light reaching the retina.

iris

1. The colored membrane of the eye, surrounding the pupil, which by contracting and expanding regulates the amount of light that enters the eye.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Iris¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin Īris, īris, from Greek Îris, îris “rainbow, goddess of the rainbow, halo, iris flower or root, iridescent crystal”; in some senses, from New Latin, from Greek: “diaphragm of eye”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Iris¹

C14: from Latin: rainbow, iris (flower), crystal, from Greek

Example Sentences

Dockery was then largely unknown, while Bonneville had a thriving career onscreen, in films like “Notting Hill” and “Iris,” and in theater.

From Los Angeles Times

Liliwen Iris Thomas died on 10 October 2022 at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales due to a lack of oxygen when Emily Brazier gave birth alone and in a coma after a reaction to pain medication.

From BBC

And when Brooks and Gordon’s screenplay takes a bazooka to that skeleton, they smartly ensure the viewer is on Iris’ side.

From Salon

Brooks and Gordon could easily get away with making “Oh, Hi!” a reverse “Misery,” with Iris as the beleaguered, sympathetic party trapped in a bad dynamic made worse by her unfeeling companion.

From Salon

While her maybe-beau stays forced in repose, Iris cycles through all the different types of women she could be.

From Salon