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eyespot

[ ahy-spot ]

noun

  1. a sensory organ of lower animals, having a light-perceiving function.
  2. an eyelike spot, as on the tail of a peacock; eye.
  3. Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by elliptical lesions on the leaves and stems, stunting of growth, and rotting, caused by any of several fungi.

eyespot

/ ˈaɪˌspɒt /

noun

  1. a small area of light-sensitive pigment in some protozoans, algae, and other simple organisms
  2. an eyelike marking, as on the wings of certain butterflies

eyespot

/ ī′spŏt′ /

  1. An area that is sensitive to light and functions somewhat like an eye, found in certain single-celled organisms as well as many invertebrate animals.
  2. A round marking resembling an eye, as on the tail feather of a peacock.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of eyespot1

First recorded in 1580–90; eye + spot

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Example Sentences

Birds are known to attack eyespots or head-shaped patterns on butterfly wings.

The wing-patterns are handsome and striking; usually an unsealed “eyespot” is conspicuous at the end of each discoidal areolet.

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