iris

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iris[1,noun] iris[2,transitive verb] Iris bearded iris iris diaphragm Japanese iris

Main Entry: ¹iris
Pronunciation: 'I-r&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural iris·es also iri·des /'I-r&-"dEz, 'ir-&-/
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin irid-, iris rainbow, iris plant, from Greek, rainbow, iris plant, iris of the eye -- more at WIRE
1 : RAINBOW
2 [New Latin irid-, iris, from Greek] a : the opaque contractile diaphragm perforated by the pupil and forming the colored portion of the eye -- see EYE illustration b : IRIS DIAPHRAGM; also : a similar device with a circular opening that can be varied in size
3 also plural iris [New Latin Irid-, Iris, genus name, from Latin] : any of a large genus (Iris of the family Iridaceae, the iris family) of perennial herbaceous plants with linear usually basal leaves and large showy flowers
[iris illustration]