Iris ,
n.;
pl. E. Irises , L. Irides . [L. iris, iridis, the goddess, Gr. >, >, the rainbow, iris of the eye, the plant Iris. Cf. Orris.]- (Class. Myth.) The goddess of the rainbow, and swift-footed messenger of the gods.
Shak.
1913 Webster
- The rainbow.
Sir T. Browne.
1913 Webster
- An appearance resembling the rainbow; a prismatic play of colors.
Tennyson.
1913 Webster
- (Anat.) The contractile membrane perforated by the pupil, and forming the colored portion of the eye. See Eye.
1913 Webster
- (Bot.) A genus of plants having showy flowers and bulbous or tuberous roots, of which the flower-de-luce (fleur-de-lis), orris, and other species of flag are examples. See Illust. of Flower-de-luce.
1913 Webster
- (Her.) See Fleur-de-lis, 2.
1913 Webster
- (Zool.) the inner circle of an oscillated color spot.
Webster 1913 Suppl.
- same as iris diaphragm.
PJC