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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

eye

Audio Help [ahy] Pronunciation Key noun, plural eyes, (Archaic

) ey·en or eyne; verb, eyed, ey·ing or eye·ing.

–noun

the organ of sight, in vertebrates typically one of a pair of spherical bodies contained in an orbit of the skull and in humans appearing externally as a dense, white, curved membrane, or sclera, surrounding a circular, colored portion, or iris, that is covered by a clear, curved membrane, or cornea, and in the center of which is an opening, or pupil, through which light passes to the retina.

2.	the aggregate of structures situated within or near the orbit that assist, support, or protect the eye.

3.	this organ with respect to the color of the iris: blue eyes.

4.	the region surrounding the eye: a black eye; puffy eyes.

5.	sight; vision: a sharp eye.

6.	the power of seeing; appreciative or discriminating visual perception: the eye of an artist.

7.	a look, glance, or gaze: to cast one's eye at a beautiful necklace.

8.	an attentive look, close observation, or watch: to be under the eye of a guard.

9.	regard, view, aim, or intention: to have an eye to one's own advantage.

10.	a manner or way of looking at a thing; estimation; opinion: in the eyes of the law.

11.	a center of light, intelligence, influence, etc.

12.	something resembling or suggesting the eye in appearance, shape, etc., as the opening in the lens of a camera, a peephole, or a buttonhole.

13.

Botany.

a.	the bud of a potato, Jerusalem artichoke, etc.

b.	a small, contrastingly colored part at the center of a flower.

14.	the central spot of a target; bull's-eye.

15.	a choice center cut of meat: an eye of round; the eye of the rib.

16.	one of the round spots on the tail feathers of a peacock.

17.	the hole in a needle.

18.	a hole made in a thing for the insertion of some object, as the handle of a tool: the eye of an ax.

19.	a metal or other ring through which something, as a rope or rod, is passed.

20.	the loop into which a hook is inserted.

21.	Electronics. a photoelectric cell or similar device used to perform a function analogous to visual inspection.

22.	Building Trades. a ring on the end of a tension member, as an eye bar or eye bolt, for connection with another member.

23.	a hole formed during the maturation of cheese, esp. Emmenthaler or Gruyère.

24.	a loop worked at the end of a rope.

25.	Meteorology. the approximately circular region of relatively light winds and fair weather found at the center of a severe tropical cyclone.

26.	eyes, Nautical. the extreme forward part of the upper deck at the bow of a vessel.

27.	Nautical. the precise direction from which a wind is blowing.

–verb (used with object)

28.	to fix the eyes upon; view: to eye the wonders of nature.

29.	to observe or watch narrowly: She eyed the two strangers with suspicion.

30.	to make an eye in: to eye a needle.

–verb (used without object)

31.	Obsolete. to appear to the eye.

—Idioms

32.	an eye for an eye, repayment in kind, as revenge for an injustice.

33.	be all eyes, to give all one's attention to something; look intently.

34.	catch someone's eye, to draw or attract someone's attention: to catch the waiter's eye.

35.	give (someone) the eye, Informal. to look fixedly at (another person), esp. with obvious admiration; ogle: She ignored the men who were giving her the eye.

36.	have an eye for, to have the ability to appreciate distinctions in; be discerning or perceptive about: She has an eye for antique furniture.

37.

have eyes only for,

a.	to want no other person or thing but: She was always surrounded by admirers, but she had eyes only for Harry.

b.	to see, or view, or desire to see only.

Also, only have eyes for.

38.	in a pig's eye, Slang. absolutely not; never: In a pig's eye I will!

39.	keep an eye on, to watch over attentively: Please keep an eye on my plants while I'm away.

40.	keep an eye out for, to be vigilant in looking or watching for: The announcer told his listeners to keep an eye out for the escaped criminal.

41.	keep one's eye on the ball, to remain attentive; be especially alert.

42.	keep one's eyes open, to be especially alert or observant.

43.	lay, clap, or set eyes on, Informal. to catch sight of; see: They had never laid eyes on such a big car before.

44.	make eyes at, to gaze flirtatiously or amorously at.

45.	my eye! Informal. (a mild exclamation of contradiction or surprise): He says he wasn't told about this? My eye!

46.	open one's eyes, to bring someone to a realization of the truth or of something previously unknown: A trip through Asia opened his eyes to the conditions under which millions had to live.

47.	pick the eyes out, Australia and New Zealand. to select the best parts or items.

48.	run one's eye over, to glance briefly at; examine hastily.

49.	see eye to eye, to have exactly the same opinion; agree: They have never been able to see eye to eye on politics.

50.	see with half an eye, to see or realize immediately or with ease: Anyone can see with half an eye that the plan is doomed to fail.

51.	shut one's eyes to, to refuse to see or consider; disregard: We can no longer shut our eyes to the gravity of the situation.

52.	sight for sore eyes, a welcome sight; a pleasant surprise: After our many days in the desert, the wretched village was a sight for sore eyes.

53.	with an eye to, with a plan or purpose of: with an eye to one's future.

54.	with one's eyes open, aware of the inherent or potential risks: She signed the papers with her eyes open.

[Origin: bef. 900; ME eie, ie, OE ége, var. of éage; c. G Auge; akin to L oculus, Gk ps, Skt akṣi

]

—Related forms

eye·a·ble, adjective

eyelike, adjective

eyer, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
keep an eye on

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

keep Audio Help   (kēp) Pronunciation Key
v.   kept, keep·ing, keeps

v.   tr.

To retain possession of: kept the change; must keep your composure.
To have as a supply: keep an ax in the shed.
1. To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support: "There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
2. To support (a mistress or lover) financially.
3. To supply with room and board for a charge: keep boarders.
4. To raise: keep chickens.
5. To maintain records in: keep a yearly diary.
6. To enter (data) in a book: keep financial records.
7. To detain: was kept after school.
8. To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
9. To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
10. To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
11. To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
To put customarily; store: Where do you keep your saw?
1. To supply with room and board for a charge: keep boarders.
2. To raise: keep chickens.
3. To maintain records in: keep a yearly diary.
4. To enter (data) in a book: keep financial records.
5. To detain: was kept after school.
6. To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
7. To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
8. To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
9. To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
To maintain for use or service: an urbanite who didn't keep a car.
To manage, tend, or have charge of: Keep the shop while I'm away.
To preserve (food).
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action: tried to keep the patient calm.
1. To maintain records in: keep a yearly diary.
2. To enter (data) in a book: keep financial records.
3. To detain: was kept after school.
4. To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
5. To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
6. To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
7. To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
1. To detain: was kept after school.
2. To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
3. To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
4. To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
5. To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
To adhere or conform to; follow: keep late hours.
To be faithful to; fulfill: keep one's word.
To celebrate; observe.

v. intr.

To remain in a state or condition; stay: keep in line; keep quiet; kept well.
To continue to do: keep on talking; keep guessing.
To remain fresh or unspoiled: The dessert won't keep.
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back: I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.

Care; charge: The child is in my keep for the day.
The means by which one is supported: earn one's keep.
1. The stronghold of a castle.
2. A jail.
3. To persevere in; carry on: We asked her to stop talking, but she kept it up.
4. To preserve or sustain: kept up the appearance of friendship.
To prevent from growing, accomplishing, or succeeding: keep the revolutionaries down.
To hold under control or at a reduced level: Keep your voice down.
To refrain from vomiting: Although seasick, I managed to keep my food down.
To maintain in good condition: kept up the property.
1. To persevere in; carry on: We asked her to stop talking, but she kept it up.
2. To preserve or sustain: kept up the appearance of friendship.
To continue at the same level or pace: The snow kept up all day.
To continue to pay off (a financial obligation).
To match one's competitors, colleagues, or neighbors in success or lifestyle: couldn't keep up with his friends who went into business.
To remain adequately informed: loved to keep up on the gossip.

Phrasal Verb(s):
keep at
To persevere in work or an action.
keep down

To prevent from growing, accomplishing, or succeeding: keep the revolutionaries down.
To hold under control or at a reduced level: Keep your voice down.
To refrain from vomiting: Although seasick, I managed to keep my food down.

keep off
To stay away from.
keep to
To adhere to: keep to the original purpose.
keep up

To maintain in good condition: kept up the property.
1. To persevere in; carry on: We asked her to stop talking, but she kept it up.
2. To preserve or sustain: kept up the appearance of friendship.
To continue at the same level or pace: The snow kept up all day.
To continue to pay off (a financial obligation).
To match one's competitors, colleagues, or neighbors in success or lifestyle: couldn't keep up with his friends who went into business.
To remain adequately informed: loved to keep up on the gossip.

Idiom(s):
for keeps

For an indefinitely long period: gave the ring to me for keeps.
Seriously and permanently: We're separating for keeps.

Idiom(s):
keep an eye on

To watch over attentively; mind.
To watch closely or carefully: keep your eye on the ball.

Idiom(s):
keep an eye out
To be watchful.

Idiom(s):
keep a stiff upper lip
To be courageous or stoic in the face of adversity.

Idiom(s):
keep company

To carry on a courtship: a couple who kept company but never married.
To socialize or associate: keeps company with some tough thugs.

Idiom(s):
keep (one's) chin up
To be stalwart, courageous, or optimistic in the face of difficulty.

Idiom(s):
keep (one's) eyes open/peeled
To be on the lookout.

Idiom(s):
keep (one's) nose clean Informal
To stay out of trouble.

Idiom(s):
keep pace
To stay even with others, as in a contest.

Idiom(s):
keep (someone) company
To accompany or remain with.

Idiom(s):
keep the wolf from the door
To avoid the privation and suffering resulting from a lack of money: Both spouses had to work in order to keep the wolf from the door.

Idiom(s):
keep time

To indicate the correct time.
Music To maintain the tempo or rhythm.

Idiom(s):
keep to (oneself)

To shun the company of others: She kept to herself all morning.
To refrain from divulging: He kept the news to himself.

[Middle English kepen, from Old English cēpan, to observe, seize.]

Synonyms: These verbs mean to have and maintain in one's possession or control. Keep is the most general: We received a few offers but decided to keep the house.
Retain means to continue to hold, especially in the face of possible loss: Though unhappy, he retained his sense of humor.
Withhold implies reluctance or refusal to give, grant, or allow: The tenant withheld his rent until the owner fixed the boiler.
To reserve is to hold back for the future or for a special purpose: The farmer reserved two acres for an orchard. See Also Synonyms at observe.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

keep an eye on
verb
follow with the eyes or the mind; "Keep an eye on the baby, please!"; "The world is watching Sarajevo"; "She followed the men with the binoculars" [syn: watch]

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
keep an eye on1

to watch closely
Example: Keep an eye on the patient's temperature.

Arabic:	يُراقِب
Chinese (Simplified):	密切注意
Chinese (Traditional):	密切注意
Czech:	pozorně sledovat
Danish:	holde øje med
Dutch:	in het oog houden
Estonian:	jälgima
Finnish:	tarkkailla
French:	suivre de près
German:	ein Auge haben auf
Greek:	παρακολουθώ
Hungarian:	szemmel tart
Icelandic:	fylgjast náið með
Indonesian:	mengawasi
Italian:	tenere d'occhio*

Japanese:	見まもる
Latvian:	vērot; sekot
Lithuanian:	sekti
Norwegian:	holde øye med
Polish:	obserwować, śledzić
Portuguese (Brazil):	ficar de olho em
Portuguese (Portugal):	ficar de olho em
Romanian:	a urmări îndeaproape
Russian:	следить за
Slovak:	sledovať
Slovenian:	budno spremljati
Spanish:	no perder de vista
Swedish:	hålla ett öga på
Turkish:	dikkatle izlemek

keep an eye on2

to look after
Example: Keep an eye on the baby while I am out!

Arabic:	يَعْتَني بِ
Chinese (Simplified):	照看
Chinese (Traditional):	照看
Czech:	dohlížet, nespustit z očí
Danish:	holde øje med; passe på
Dutch:	een oogje houden op
Estonian:	silmas pidama
Finnish:	pitää silmällä
French:	surveiller
German:	ein Auge haben auf
Greek:	προσέχω, φροντίζω
Hungarian:	gondoskodik vkiről
Icelandic:	líta eftir
Indonesian:	menjaga
Italian:	sorvegliare, tenere d'occhio*

Japanese:	～の世話をする
Latvian:	pieskatīt
Lithuanian:	prižiūrėti, pažiūrėti
Norwegian:	passe på
Polish:	pilnować, mieć na oku
Portuguese (Brazil):	ficar de olho em
Portuguese (Portugal):	vigiar
Romanian:	a fi cu ochii pe, a avea grijă de
Russian:	присматривать за
Slovak:	dávať pozor
Slovenian:	paziti na
Spanish:	vigilar
Swedish:	hålla ett öga på
Turkish:	bakmak, göz kulak olmak