[ahy-ris] 
noun, plural i⋅ris⋅es, ir⋅i⋅des [ir-i-deez, ahy-ri-] , verb | 1. | Anatomy. the contractile, circular diaphragm forming the colored portion of the eye and containing a circular opening, the pupil, in its center. |
| 2. | Botany. any plant of the genus Iris, having showy flowers and sword-shaped leaves. Compare iris family. |
| 3. | a flower of this plant. |
| 4. | (initial capital letter ) Classical Mythology. a messenger of the gods, regarded as the goddess of the rainbow. |
| 5. | a rainbow. |
| 6. | any appearance resembling a rainbow. |
| 7. | Movies, Television. an iris-in or iris-out. |
| 8. | Optics, Photography. iris diaphragm. |
| 9. | Movies. to begin or end a take or scene with an iris-in or iris-out, achieved by manipulation of an iris diaphragm on the camera or by editing the film. |
iris i·ris (ī'rĭs)
n. pl. i·ris·es or i·ri·des (ī'rĭ-dēz', ĭr'ĭ-)
The round pigmented contractile membrane of the eye that is perforated in the center by the pupil, forms the front part of the vascular tunic, and is attached on the margin to the ciliary body.
| iris (ī'rĭs) Pronunciation Key
Plural irises or irides (ī'rĭ-dēz', ĭr'ĭ-) The colored, muscular ring around the pupil of the eye in vertebrate animals, located between the cornea and lens. Contraction and expansion of the iris controls the size of the pupil, thereby regulating the amount of light reaching the retina. |