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eye for an eye

 [ahy]   Origin

eye

   [ahy] noun, plural eyes, (Archaic) ey·en or eyne; verb, eyed, ey·ing or eye·ing.
noun
1.
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.
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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, especially 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.
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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.

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Eye for an eye is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
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), especially 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.
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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/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.
COLLAPSE
Origin:
before 900; Middle English eie, ie, Old English ēge, variant of ēage; cognate with German Auge; akin to Latin oculus, Greek ṓps, Sanskrit akṣi

Related forms
eye·a·ble, adjective
eye·like, adjective
ey·er, noun
un·der·eye, noun, verb (used with object), un·der·eyed, un·der·ey·ing or un·der·eye·ing.
un·eye·a·ble, adjective

Can be confused: aye, eye, I.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To eye for an eye
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

eye
O.E. ege (Mercian), eage (W. Saxon), from P.Gmc. *augon, from PIE *oqw- "to see" (cf. Skt. akshi "the eye, the number two," Gk. opsis "a sight," Goth. augo, O.C.S. oko, Lith. akis, L. oculus, Armenian aku). Until late 14c. the plural was in -an, hence modern dial. plural een, ene. The verb is first recorded
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1560s. Related: Eyed; eyeing. The eye of a needle was in O.E.; to see eye to eye is from Isa. lii.8. Eye contact attested by 1965. Eye-opener "anything that informs and enlightens" is from 1863. Have an eye on "keep under supervision" is attested from early 15c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

eye (ī)
n.

  1. An organ of vision or of light sensitivity.

  2. Either of a pair of hollow structures located in bony sockets of the skull, functioning together or independently, each having a lens capable of focusing incident light on an internal photosensitive retina from which nerve impulses are sent to the brain; the organ of vision.

  3. The external, visible portion of this organ together with its associated structures, especially the eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows.

  4. The pigmented iris of this organ.

  5. The faculty of seeing; vision.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
eye   (ī)  Pronunciation Key 


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  1. Anatomy The vertebrate organ of sight, composed of a pair of fluid-filled spherical structures that occupy the orbits of the skull. Incoming light is refracted by the cornea of the eye and transmitted through the pupil to the lens, which focuses the image onto the retina.

  2. Zoology An organ in invertebrates that is sensitive to light. See more at compound eye, eyespot.

  3. Botany A bud on a tuber, such as a potato.

  4. Meteorology The relatively calm area at the center of a hurricane or similar storm. See more at hurricane.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

eye definition


The organ of sight. Some of its parts are the cornea, iris, lens, optic nerve, pupil, and retina.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

eye for an eye

in law and custom, the principle of retaliation for injuries or damages. In ancient Babylonian, biblical, Roman, and Islamic law, it was a principle operative in private and familial settlements, intended to limit retaliation, and often satisfied by a money payment or other equivalent. See also talion.

Learn more about eye for an eye with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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