vitreous

1 of 2

adjective

vit·​re·​ous ˈvi-trē-əs 

1

a

: resembling glass (as in color, composition, brittleness, or luster) : glassy

vitreous rocks

b

: characterized by low porosity and usually translucence due to the presence of a glassy phase

vitreous china

2

: of, relating to, derived from, or consisting of glass

3

: of, relating to, or constituting the vitreous humor

vitreous surgery

vitreous

2 of 2

noun

: vitreous humor

Examples of vitreous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Collect blood and vitreous fluid, as well as hair and tissue samples. —Peter Cummings, Scientific American, 3 June 2025

The surgical procedure involves first temporarily removing the vitreous gel that fills the eye to gain access to the retina. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

Noun

Aqueous humor, a water-like fluid produced inside the eye, will naturally replace the vitreous over time. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 18 July 2024

Eye floaters crop up when the vitreous, or the jelly-like substance that fills the back of your eye, begins to liquefy. —Cassie Shortsleeve, Health, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin, from vitrum glass

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1869, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vitreous

• vitreous humor
• vitreous silica

Medical Definition

vitreous

1 of 2 adjective

vit·​re·​ous ˈvi-trē-əs 

: of, relating to, constituting, or affecting the vitreous body

vitreous hemorrhages

vitreous

2 of 2 noun

: vitreous body