ommatidium

[ om-uh-tid-ee-uhm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Zoology.

, plural om·ma·tid·i·a [om-, uh, -, tid, -ee-, uh].

ommatidium

/ ˌɒməˈtɪdɪəm /

any of the numerous cone-shaped units that make up the compound eyes of some arthropods

ommatidium

/ ŏm′ə-tĭd′ē-əm /

, Plural ommatidia

One of the tiny light-sensitive parts of the compound eye of insects and other arthropods. An ommatidium resembles a single simplified eye.
See more at compound eye

1880–85; < New Latin < Greek ommat- (stem of ómma eye) + New Latin -idium -idium

C19: via New Latin from Greek ommatidion, from omma eye

The ommatidium is from the first segregate and consists of few cells.

The cells of the ommatidium are a good deal larger than the neighbouring common cells of the epidermis.

The ommatidium (soft structure beneath the lens-unit of a compound eye) is very simple in both Scorpio and Limulus.

Each of these facets is the external window of an eye element or ommatidium.

Ommatidium -ia: one of the elements of which the compound eye is composed.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse