eye for an eye
eye1 (aɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the organ of sight of animals, containing light-sensitive cells associated with nerve fibres, so that light entering the eye is converted to nervous impulses that reach the brain. In man and other vertebrates the iris controls the amount of light entering the eye and the lens focuses the light onto the retinaRelated: ocular, oculate, ophthalmic, optic |
| 2. | (often plural) the ability to see; sense of vision: weak eyes |
| 3. | the visible external part of an eye, often including the area around it: heavy-lidded eyes; piercing eyes |
| 4. | a look, glance, expression, or gaze: a stern eye |
| 5. | a sexually inviting or provocative look (esp in the phrases give (someone) the (glad) eye, make eyes at) |
| 6. | attention or observation (often in the phrases catch someone's eye, keep an eye on, cast an eye over) |
| 7. | ability to recognize, judge, or appreciate: an eye for antiques |
| 8. | (often plural) opinion, judgment, point of view, or authority: in the eyes of the law |
| 9. | a structure or marking having the appearance of an eye, such as the bud on a twig or potato tuber or a spot on a butterfly wing |
| 10. | a small loop or hole, as at one end of a needle |
| 11. | a small area of low pressure and calm in the centre of a tornado or cyclone |
| 12. | See photocell |
| 13. | informal See private eye |
| 14. | informal all eyes acutely vigilant or observant: the children were all eyes |
| 15. | informal my eye, all my eye rubbish; nonsense |
| 16. | an eye for an eye retributive or vengeful justice; retaliation |
| 17. | (Caribbean) cut one's eye after someone, cut one's eye at someone, cut one's eye on someone to look rudely at a person and then turn one's face away sharply while closing one's eyes: a gesture of contempt |
| 18. | (NZ) eyes out with every possible effort: he went at the job eyes out |
| 19. | chiefly sport get one's eye in to become accustomed to the conditions, light, etc, with a consequent improvement in one's performance |
| 20. | half an eye |
| a. a modicum of perceptiveness: anyone with half an eye can see she's in love | |
| b. continuing unobtrusive observation or awareness: the dog had half an eye on the sheep | |
| 21. | have eyes for to be interested in: she has eyes only for him |
| 22. | in one's mind's eye pictured within the mind; imagined or remembered vividly |
| 23. | in the public eye exposed to public curiosity or publicity |
| 24. | keep an eye open, keep an eye out to watch with special attention (for) |
| 25. | keep one's eyes peeled, keep one's eyes skinned to watch vigilantly (for) |
| 26. | look someone in the eye to look at someone openly and without shame or embarrassment |
| 27. | old-fashioned make eyes, make sheep's eyes to ogle amorously |
| 28. | more than meets the eye hidden motives, meaning, or facts |
| 29. | (Austral), (NZ) pick the eyes out to select the best parts or pieces (of) |
| 30. | see eye to eye to agree (with) |
| 31. | (usually used with a negative) set eyes on, lay eyes on, clap eyes on to see: she had never laid eyes on him before |
| 32. | nautical the eye of the wind the direction from which the wind is blowing |
| 33. | turn a blind eye to, close one's eyes to to pretend not to notice or ignore deliberately |
| 34. | up to one's eyes extremely busy (with) |
| 35. | with a … eye in a … manner: he regards our success with a jealous eye |
| 36. | (preposition) with an eye to, having an eye to |
| a. regarding; with reference to: with an eye to one's own interests | |
| b. with the intention or purpose of: with an eye to reaching agreement | |
| 37. | with one's eyes open in the full knowledge of all relevant facts |
| 38. | with one's eyes shut |
| a. with great ease, esp as a result of thorough familiarity: I could drive home with my eyes shut | |
| b. without being aware of all the facts | |
| —vb , eyes, eyeing, eying, eyed | |
| 39. | to look at carefully or warily |
| 40. | Also: eye up to look at in a manner indicating sexual interest; ogle |
| Related: ocular, oculate, ophthalmic, optic | |
| [Old English ēage; related to Old Norse auga, Old High German ouga, Sanskrit aksi] | |
| 'eyeless1 | |
| —adj | |
| 'eyelike1 | |
| —adj | |
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
eye
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eye (ī)
n.
An organ of vision or of light sensitivity.
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.
The external, visible portion of this organ together with its associated structures, especially the eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows.
The pigmented iris of this organ.
The faculty of seeing; vision.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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eye  (ī) Pronunciation Key
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Eye definition
(Heb. 'ain, meaning "flowing"), applied (1) to a fountain, frequently; (2) to colour (Num. 11:7; R.V., "appearance," marg. "eye"); (3) the face (Ex. 10:5, 15; Num. 22:5, 11), in Num. 14:14, "face to face" (R.V. marg., "eye to eye"). "Between the eyes", i.e., the forehead (Ex. 13:9, 16). The expression (Prov. 23:31), "when it giveth his colour in the cup," is literally, "when it giveth out [or showeth] its eye." The beads or bubbles of wine are thus spoken of. "To set the eyes" on any one is to view him with favour (Gen. 44:21; Job 24:23; Jer. 39:12). This word is used figuratively in the expressions an "evil eye" (Matt. 20:15), a "bountiful eye" (Prov. 22:9), "haughty eyes" (6:17 marg.), "wanton eyes" (Isa. 3:16), "eyes full of adultery" (2 Pet. 2:14), "the lust of the eyes" (1 John 2:16). Christians are warned against "eye-service" (Eph. 6:6; Col. 3:22). Men were sometimes punished by having their eyes put out (1 Sam. 11:2; Samson, Judg. 16:21; Zedekiah, 2 Kings 25:7). The custom of painting the eyes is alluded to in 2 Kings 9:30, R.V.; Jer. 4:30; Ezek. 23:40, a custom which still prevails extensively among Eastern women.
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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.
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