iris

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Datamuse reports no synonyms or antonyms for this word.

Noun

1. {{senseid|en|Q156901}} {{lb|en|botany}} A [[plant]] of the genus ''[[Iris]]'', common in the northern hemisphere, and generally having attractive blooms (See {{pedia|Iris (plant)}}).
2. {{senseid|en|Q178748}}{{lb|en|anatomy}} The [[contractile]] [[membrane]] [[perforate]]d by the [[pupil]], which adjusts to control the amount of light reaching the [[retina]], and which forms the colored portion of the [[eye]] (See {{pedia|Iris (anatomy)}}).
3. {{lb|en|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. {{lb|en|poetic}} A [[rainbow]], or other colourful refraction of light.
5. {{lb|en|electronics}} A constricted opening in the path inside a [[waveguide]], used to form a [[resonator]].
6. {{lb|en|zoology}} The inner circle of an [[oscillated]] [[color]] [[spot]].

Verb

1. {{lb|en|of an [[aperture]], [[lens]]{{,}} or [[door]]}} To [[open]] or [[close]] in the manner of an iris.
2. {{lb|en|literary}} To cause (something) to shine with the colours of the rainbow; to make [[iridescent]].

Proper noun

1. {{lb|en|Greek god}} A [[messenger]] of the [[gods]], and [[goddess]] of [[rainbow]]s.
2. {{given name|en|female|from=Ancient Greek}}; a flower name used since the end of the 19th century.
3. {{lb|en|astronomy}} {{w|7 Iris}}, a [[main belt]] [[asteroid]].

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.